Recycled glass can be used to make a variety of products, including glassware, home decor, tiles, garden supplies, and beads. The market for environmentally friendly products has increased, leading to innovative and creative uses for old glass.
A wide variety of products are made from recycled glass, ranging from glassware to flooring materials. In fact, many of these products aren’t necessarily specifically labeled as made from recycled materials, because glass recycling is an ancient practice. For nearly as long as people have been making glass, this material has been melted down and repurposed as individual objects outlive their usefulness.
A common item made from recycled materials is glassware, which can include mugs, glasses, plates, bowls, and similar supplies. Home decorating supplies like candlesticks, artwork, lampshades, drawer handles, glass doorknobs, and vases can also be made from recycled glass. Depending on the taste of the designer and manufacturer, the product can appear obviously recycled, with a rough finish or flecks of different colors, or it can have a very glossy and elegant look that belies its recycled roots.
Another common use of recycled glass is tile, which can be designed for use in floors, counters, backsplash, and other installations. Glass can also be melted and worked into large stone-like slabs that can be used for flooring, decking, and other applications. Worktops made with this glass are also available in a variety of colors and finishes to suit different needs.
Garden supplies such as ornaments and planters can be made entirely from used glass components. Pieces of glass can also be included in concrete and stone settings, and some creative glassmakers transform used glass into stained glass pieces, creating something beautiful out of something abandoned and unwanted.
Recycled glass is also used in beads of various styles and designs. Commercial African beads, in particular, tend to include a large amount of glass used in their manufacture, as new glass is often cheaper to work with, and a skilled craftsman can achieve a stunning array of colors and designs. These beads can be used to make jewelery such as necklaces and bracelets and can also be used for ornamental purposes on garments, bags and other accessories. Buttons for clothes can also be made from recycled materials, as can solid glass rings, bracelets and similar ornaments.
People are always looking for new uses for old and unwanted glass products, with the aim of reusing materials as much as possible, rather than constantly starting over with new materials. Consumer interest in environmentally friendly products and “green” purchases has radically increased the market for products made from recycled and reused materials, prompting companies to be innovative and creative.
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