A common misconception about curbside recycling is that all glass is treated the same, so you can recycle not only bottles and jars, but also glass cups, light bulbs, and windows. Believe it or not, recycling companies don’t want these items, and not just because they’re more likely to be broken.
Windows are an example of processed glass, which is much less likely to break than glass bottles. Glass manufacturers use different processes and materials to produce container glass (bottles and jars) and processed glass. Processed glass is strengthened with chemicals to make it stronger and less likely to break.
Glass recycling involves the process of melting the glass in a furnace. Because much higher temperatures are required to melt treated glass, if window glass is mixed with bin glass, the entire recycling batch will become contaminated with chemicals and will no longer be usable as a recycling bin. If all the glass being recycled was treated glass, the windows could be recycled, but because windows are rarely disposed of outside of large building demolition projects, most recycling facilities are not equipped for windows.
If you’re thinking about replacing your windows, you can expect to pay between $19,000 and $35,000 for an average 2,450 square foot home. According to Consumer ReportsIf you recycle, you can offset some of the impact of new windows by reusing old materials.
Reuse windows when possible
If you have windows that aren’t broken yet, try donating them for reuse. One option is to Habitat for Humanity RestoreReStores accept and resell all kinds of building materials, so your local store may be willing to accept your windows. If they are newer or more energy efficient windows, they are more likely to do so since these are the windows customers will want for their new application.
Old windows are a great material for a variety of DIY projects, especially if the window frames are still intact. Make a bulletin board, jewelry organizer, headboard, and more.
Window Recycling Options
In the recycling industry, windows are classified as construction waste. In the United States, Over 600 million tons of construction waste Since the annual volume of C&D waste is more than double that of packaging waste, many states are working to address this issue by providing lists of C&D recyclers.
for example, CalRecycle A list is maintained for the state of California. Check with your state waste disposal agency to see if they can refer you to a company that accepts windows for recycling.
Beyond recycling
You may be able to upgrade your old windows, and advances in technology have given you more options.
A company called Solar Window You can go a step further and turn your windows into solar panels: the US-based company offers a technology that can be sprayed onto any glass surface that can generate renewable solar energy, and claims that the technology can pay for itself in energy savings within a year (versus the five to seven years it takes for traditional solar panels).
The biggest problem with windows is that you are likely to want to recycle them when they are broken, and that is when they have the lowest value on the recycling market. The risk of injury when transporting broken glass means that the material loses most of its value. Therefore, if you are planning to renovate your home, try to keep your old windows intact.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on June 27, 2018 and updated in July 2024.
