How to Dispose of Broken Glass in Australia Safely?

Glass is utilised in many parts of the house and is considered part of modern house design. It is a material that goes from our drinking glasses to windows and is used by us every day. However, what if the glass ever breaks? Most people have yet to learn
how to remove broken glass properly. This is for all dealing with such a problem– you can check below the safest and most appropriate approaches to dispose of broken glasses.

What to Do When You Break Glass?

First, prioritise safety. Sharp edges from broken glass are dangerous, and one has to be very cautious when dealing with them. First, try to clean the area when you accidentally crack a glass, be it a wine glass or a window glass. Ensure everyone, including
yourself, is wearing shoes so that none of you stand on any sharp part left behind.

After that, get the even bigger fragments gathered. Sweep these pieces together with the help of the broom and dispose of them using the dustpan. Use a vacuum for the best shot for the remaining parts, which are more diminutive and maybe a little tricky to find. Recheck the area after the scan to ensure no distal lesions were overlooked.

For larger cleanups, especially after home renovations or window replacements, consider using a professional skip bin hire service to manage the waste efficiently and safely.

Difference Between Broken Glass and Normal Glass Disposal

In Australia, recycling is one of the crucial activities in waste management. However, not all glasses are the same, so they cannot be recycled similarly. Every home has come across large yellow containers you use to drop off glass jars, bottles, and
other items that are usually recycled. Among those who throw discarded items into the trash, it is alleged that most are taken to appropriate recycling facilities and melted for reuse.

But as for the broken glass, the matter is quite another proposition. You cannot simply throw it into the recycling bin. Sharps like glass, mirrors, bulbs, and ovenware will not melt at the same temperatures as most recyclable types of glass. This implies
that it cannot be handled or treated similarly to other forms of waste. Besides, sharp pieces are pretty risky to waste collectors and handlers.

Here’s a quick list of glass items you cannot recycle in your yellow bin:

• Broken glass


• Mirrors


• Light bulbs


• Ovenware


• Crystal glass


• Ceramics


• Windows and windscreens


• Drinking glasses


• Medical glass

How to Safely Dispose of Broken Glass

Safety becomes an essential factor to consider whenever you dispose of broken glass. Here are some simple steps you can follow:

• Wear Protective Gear: There is also the provision that one should not be wearing open shoes. This will prevent any pieces from falling on the floor and hurting your feet.


• Collect the Glass: With a broom or brush, sweep away the larger debris so it can be easily collected.


• Vacuum the Area: When you have gathered the large pieces, vacuum the floor to collect all the tiny fragments left behind.


• Secure the Glass: Cover the glass with any material that cannot be easily torn apart, like a newspaper or cloth. This is done to prevent the shards from piercing through the wrapping.


• Please seal the package: Use sticky tape to join and hold the wrapping tightly.


• Label the Package: Put a label on the package saying ‘Broken Glass’ to possible handlers in the void to be cautious when approaching the box.


• Dispose of It in the Garbage: Afterwards, take a general waste bin and dispose of the glass wrapped and labelled nicely. Ensure it fits properly so that it does not give way easily.

Safe Options To Dispose Of Broken Glass

Various safe options are available to dispose of broken glasses.

Option 1: Throwing Away in the Garbage Bin

As you may have noticed, throwing it into your garbage bin is the most common way. This is usually the most secure way because different types of glass can’t be recycled if they are broken. Please ensure no one gets hurt; follow the instructions mentioned
above.

If you need to discard a large amount of glass, it is advised to break the large chunks into smaller ones while the glass is still in safe and secure packaging. Remember to properly secure your wrapping, as bins are provided for recycling disposal.

Option 2: Recycling at a Resource Recovery Centre

If you prefer a more environmentally friendly way of disposal, you can take the broken glass to any resource recovery or recycling centre. Most of the councils in Australia have these facilities. Here’s how to do it:

• Call Ahead: First, you should call the centre and ensure they take a glass in such a state. Some may have specific standard operating procedures or restrictions on hours of operation.


• Prepare the Glass: As with throwing it in the trash, ensure it is wrapped.


• Transport Safely: Slowly and gently carry the wrapped glass back to the centre. Ensure it is well packed so that it cannot cause an accident in transit.


• Drop It Off: Once at the centre, follow their instruction on how to dispose of it. Some centres may charge a small fee for their services, so enquiring about the amount before going in is a plus.

Taking broken glass to a recovery centre is one of the best ways to ensure that you dispose of it correctly, particularly if you have a large chunk that does not fit in your garbage disposal bin.

Option 3: Contact Rubbish Removal Professionals

If you are handling a significant amount of broken glass or are in doubt about handling the situation on your own, you can hire rubbish removal experts. Some companies deal with the disposal of waste, including broken glass. This is also advisable
for companies often encountering large amounts of glass waste products. Here’s why this might be a good option:

• Expert Handling: These professionals have the proper equipment and protective wear to deal with broken glasses.


• Convenience: They will reach you, take the glass and ensure it is either dumped or recycled appropriately.


• Safety: If you are worried for yourself or others, such a circumstance is erased with this mode.

Glass Recycling in Australia

The appropriate recycling glass is collected and transported to the sorting centres, sorted by colour and type. Then, this glass is, in turn, recycled and remanufactured into new products. Such an efficient approach to glass production also minimises
the environmental impact of manufacturing new glass products from raw materials.

Recycling glass is essential as a measure towards preserving the natural environment. They lead to energy conservation, minimising greenhouse gas emissions and lowering raw material demands. Recycling glass is necessary; hence, it presents a solid claim
to show that the environment will improve if the glass is recycled.

Why Can’t All Glass Be Recycled?

It should be noted that not all glass types are the same. Other glass varieties are produced for different uses, employing various processes and components. For instance, cooking utensils are sometimes made of parts containing borosilicate, given its
function in heat resistance. Window glass is designed to be stronger than regular glass and often has added coatings or treatments that are not recyclable.

For these reasons, some glass items cannot be recycled within the regular recycling facilities available on the market. They can pollute other recyclable items or even destroy the y facilities used by the recycling companies.

Upcycling Glass at Home

But if you wish to be more experimental, there is another approach one can take to collect the broken glass – upcycling. Here are some ideas:

• Garden Tiles: Make mosaic art from broken glass pieces and use them to design artistic tiles for the garden. The glass tiles are strong; thus, they are not stained easily and are good light reflectors.


• Fire Pit Topping: Glass is heat-resistant and can, therefore, stand high temperatures that will be exposed to being on top of the fire pit. It is both practical and aesthetic.


• Art Installations: Turn the broken glass into sculptures, or you can even place them on the walls of your garden.

Inside your home, you can also use broken glass creatively:

• Glass Chandeliers: Recycling broken glass into the creation of a chandelier.


• Table Lamps: Make a custom lamp from glass pieces.


• Candle Holders: Create beautiful candle holders from several pieces of glass shimmering shards.

Donate Glass Items

Donating is the next best thing if your glass items are in good shape and you believe others could benefit from them. For instance, one can give away old glasses with a recommendation to Lions Australia, which has programs for distributing eyewear to
the right users.

Other programs, for instance, Return and Earn, permit the return of glass bottles and get a cash refund. You can also pay your tax return to a charitable organisation, such as the “Bottles Can Change Lives” campaign for needy Australians.

Conclusion

Handling and disposing of broken glass in Australia calls for attention and precaution. If you dispose of it as regular garbage, take it to a recycling centre, or hire a professional service, safety should always be at the top of your efforts. However,
recycling glass is a way to shield the environment. Recycling is a way of finding a new life for products that might otherwise be considered useless. According to these principles, one can safely dispose of broken glasses and protect his house.