There Are Endless Applications For Crushed And Pulverized Glass
Background
The US has a glass recycling rate of around 27% compared to Europe’s 90% glass recycling rate. Despite having the tools and capabilities to recycle/reuse post-consumer glass, which is infinitely recyclable, most of it ends up in US landfills. There are a multitude of reasons for this, one is that fewer glass bottle manufacturers exist to process the glass than previously did in our history.
Why Not Turn Glass Back Into Sand?
Industry innovator, Cynthia Andela, owner and CEO of Andela Products, asked herself, Why not turn glass back into sand? The answer led her to design Andela’s first glass-crushing/pulverizing machine in the 1980s, a machine with the express purpose of diverting waste glass from the waste stream by turning it into useful glass sand and glass cullet. In the ensuing years, interest in Andela’s unique crushers and pulverizers has grown in step with concerns about the declining access to bottle makers and the environmental distress of overcrowded landfills.
The Endless Applications For Glass Sand and Cullet
There are multiple real-world applications for the glass sand and cullet output from Andela crushing and pulverizing machines. Here is a link to glass sand/cullet uses via our website. Every Andela system and machine is designed with specific capabilities that enable it to create useful materials for the varied end-users and industries we work with.
Many organizations, communities, businesses, as well as hundreds of governments in the US and across the world, have adopted the Andela System of Glass Recycling. Glass sand and glass cullet can be used creatively by artists, and entrepreneurs, too. Our machines are sought after by many high-profile companies, including a Disney unit that uses their output for landscaping mulch on miles of horse trails. Olin (Pennsylvania) has studied glass sand in a soil and compost mixture to support plant growth, with great results. Another popular use, pioneered by Glass Half Full (New Orleans), is as a medium for growing native grasses, thereby bolstering coastal restoration.
A Real World Example
Material Things Studio uses their Andela glass crusher to crush bottles from a local restaurant, they create a fine non-abrasive sand to place into clay plate-shaped molds that they fire in their kilns, producing glass plates that are both environmentally friendly and beautiful. The executive chef from that restaurant uses these plates to serve the food he prepares for Oyster Oyster, a Michelin-Star-rated restaurant. See the plates, here.
Read more about this in an article featuring Andela Products via Fast Company.
Why Choose An Andela Products Machine?
With a commitment to innovation, Andela Products produces a growing line of rugged, versatile machines that are sold worldwide to serve the special needs of the glass recycling industry. Each product is thoughtfully designed and engineered to provide a high capacity-to-cost ratio and superior durability.
Browse our blog and resources to learn more!
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