Safelite AutoGlass has announced the commencement of a large scale windshield recycling program. This program deals with the saving of approximately 12 to 15 Mt of material that is being dumped in landfills each year.
Since the process of separating the inner polyvinyl butyral (PBV) plastic and glass layers is difficult, windshields have not been previously recycled. In order to carry out this process, many recycling plants have been expanded.
Recycled PVB and glass materials are reused in the U.S. manufactured goods, which include carpet backing, fiberglass insulation, primer and paint, and plastic products.
The program was launched by Safelite AutoGlass in markets close to its chosen recycling plant partner at the early part of 2011 with program completion in the east coast. Then, the program will be extended towards the west coast. The collection and delivery of the old windshields to the recycling facility were specifically designed to be carbon neutral.
The company is dedicated towards the ecological sustainability policy. Other kinds of vehicle glass are being currently recycled at the company’s manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Over 5 Mt of glass was recycled from that site during 2011.
The company’s collaboration with Redemtech will be included in other recycling efforts, wherein Redemtech will recycle and re-use phones, computers and other technology. Every month, around 300 phones are recycled.
The wooden pallets that are utilized in glass distribution are chipped for mulch. Some pallets are utilized in a composting method. During the chipping method, the nails present in the wooden pallets are captured and marketed as a low-end recycled metal. The company saves around 35,000 t of carbon dioxide during windshield production.
Source: http://www.safelite.com/