Recycled Crushed Glass: A summary of stuidies. Date: 11/03/2011

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1 Recycled Crushed Glass: A summary of stuidies Date: 11/03/2011

2 The Studies Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW. (2007). Trial of Recycled Glass as Pipe Embedment Material: Part 1 & 2. Retrieved from Clean Washington Center. (1997). Case Studies for the Use of Post Consumer Glass as a Construction Aggregate. Retrieved from Clean Washington Center. (1997). Crushed Glass as Filter Medium for Septic Treatment Sand Filters. Retrieved from

3 What is Recycled Crushed Glass? Glass containers are usually recovered for recycling uses such as new glass containers The small glass pieces, or fines, however, are unsuitable for in the manufacture of new glasses so these are then washed, crushed and graded (sometimes mixed in with other compounds) into Recycled Crushed Glass Note in Washington State glass is used more frequently for aggregate than new glass containers Also known as Post-Consumer Glass

4 Recycled Glass Aggregate used in trials Pipe Bedding

5 Recycled Glass can be used for Cement mix Roadways Abrasive media Concrete/construction aggregate (replacing natural sand) Pipe bedding material (replacing natural sand) Leachate drainage layer material in landfills (replacing gravel) Landscaping and water filtration (such as a filter medium for septic treatments)

6 Glass samples were tested for: Metals Pesticides PAHs PCBs VOCs TPHs Other general organics Nutrients BOD Total suspended solids COD Asbestos ph and the electrical resistivity

7 Sample Results The samples examined were inert and asbestos free; Chemicals and physical contaminants were either not detected or were present at trace levels The main pollutants present were due to residual matter mixed in with the glass For a more detailed report of the samples tested: pipeembedmentpt2.pdf and

8 Environmentally Safe? Two potential environmental issues in using RCG as construction aggregate were examined in these studies are associated: Biological impact from chemical properties; Potential for lead contamination. Findings: The chemical analyzed do not appear to be in concentrations of concern. Metal levels appear to be in naturally occurring ranges (same as ground water and surface water) Total lead concentration for many sources were undetected or detected at concentrations similar to those found in naturally occurring granite.

9 Is it safe for you to use? Perceived risks: Breathing the dust from the glass (specifically silicosis concerns) Findings: Glass dust is not considered hazardous but can be a skin and eyes irritant; it s recommended to supplied moist and hose down stockpiles; Glass was tested for crystalline Silica test results did not indicate that it is not a health hazard crystalline silica or dust

10 Safe for you? (cont.) Perceived risk: Handling the glass particles Finding: There s same level of hazards of handling RCG as conventional crushed construction aggregates (a person can still get cuts if not handling it carefully or safely)

11 What you should do when handling or working with RCG? Take the same safety and protective measures that apply to other supplied materials such as: Wear safety glasses Wear gloves Wear dust masks Wear long sleeves clothing that cover skin Understand the risks and hazards

12 Why use RCG When used as construction aggregate, the glass is less susceptible to frost When used as a filter medium in septic treatment, the glass provide benefits relating to the long term operation maintenance of the systems (much higher infiltration capacity and pore space, cleanliness and more cost-effective) Conserves natural resources Reduces waste sent to landfill Saves money???