Greenhouse Gas Analysis of Transporting Glass Recycling

Glass has long been used as a material for packaging food and beverages for household consumption. As continued focus is given on operating an effective and efficient recycling program, Recycle BC is interested in better understanding the pathway that glass takes within the program from a GHG perspective – from the point of disposal for recycling, to when it is hauled to its end use destination. We want to understand what the breakeven point is between the amount of GHG emissions required to collect glass versus the emissions offset by recycling it.
Also, currently glass collected through the Recycle BC program is either processed into new bottles, used as material for sandblasting, or used as a construction aggregate. As end markets shift in BC, we are interested in seeking out new and innovative applications for recycled glass as a feedstock.

Faculty Supervisor:

Thomas Gunton

Student:

Partner:

Recycle BC

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: