Infographic - From flat glass to flat glass - Glass for Europe

Dismantling

Windows and/or glazings are dismantled from building before replacement (renovation) or demolition.

Collecting

Windows and/or glazings are collected separately from other building products.

Separating

Glass is separated from other window components (aluminium, plastics, wood, etc.).

Cleaning

Glass is cleaned from impurities to fulfill end-of-waste criteria. Once cleaned, ‘Cullet’ from building glass should primarily be used in flat glass making (closed-loop recycling). Depending on the ‘cullet’ quality, it can be recycled in other glass sub-sectors.

Reintroducing

‘Cullet’ is introduced in furnaces to produce new glass with minimal environmental impacts: lower energy consumption, less virgin raw materials, less CO2emissions.