Glass containers are the most preferred packaging method in the perfume industry. It brings sophistication to a product and preserves a unique formulation. Just like any other waste, glass perfume bottles must have a way of disposing of them after use, right?
That brings up a whole lot of questions. People want to know what happens to the glass perfume container after use. The following article answers the question;
Can you recycle glass perfume bottles? What are the components of the bottle container, the benefits of recycling, and how do we do it?
Read along!
Can You Recycle Glass Perfume Containers?
One research report estimates the global cosmetics economy to be worth USD 455.3 B and will be at USD 716.6 B by 2025. That means the packaging industry is also growing fast. That growth comes with the need for manufacturers to invent ways to recycle used bottles.
The good news is that glass perfume containers are recyclable! The glass is a non-porous, 100% recyclable material. It means glass containers are recyclable indefinitely without losing quality or appearance.
That sounds good, right? So, what components of a glass perfume bottle make it recyclable?
What Is the Composition of Glass Perfume Bottles?
As mentioned earlier, Glass containers are the most preferred packaging for perfumes. They add sophistication, elegance, style, and luxury.
They come in various shapes and sizes depending on customers’ preferences. So, what combination makes it suitable for use?
The glass containers are mostly silicate sand, soda ash, and limestone. All these main components are sustainable as they are available in nature.
There can be other elements like chromium and iron ions for color. Manufacturers use silica in the sand, soda ash, and limestone for the following reasons.
- They are readily available in nature.
- Sustainable [so no worry or raw material shortage.
- The unique combination brings out clarity and elegance in a bottle.
- The blend makes an inert container that protects perfume from outside elements.
Two Major Benefits – Why Recycle Glass Perfume Bottles?
Glass perfume bottles lying around can cause harm to the environment. Since the glass containers are recyclable, it is vital to ensure it happens. So, what are the major benefits of repurposing glass bottles?
It is easy
A company has nothing to lose by recycling the used bottles. Why is that? Well, the glass bottles are of naturally occurring raw materials that are manageable. There is no loss of quality or appearance. When we recycle glass perfume containers:
- There is minimal use of raw materials.
- It lowers the cost of production since less material and energy are used.
- That lowers the cost of the perfume due to the lower cost of production.
It is eco- friendly
A company has to protect the environment during production. That is to reduce emissions and pollution. Through glass perfume bottle recycling:
- There is less use of raw materials. That protects the environment’s natural resources.
- There is less use of energy, which reduces carbon print.
- It allows for less air and water pollution.
What Are the 4 Stages of Glass Perfume Bottles Recycling?
So, what happens to the used glass perfume bottle? Different municipal councils have laws on the proper disposal of glass containers. They are either taken to recycling residential or community center bottle banks. People should consult on the rules before disposing.
From there, glass bottle manufacturing companies took over. The following four steps take place to recycle used glass perfume bottles:
Stage 1: Collecting
Collecting involves trucks getting the bottles f. it can be from the marked designated centers and around the community. The local recycling programs here help identify the collection centers. From here, trucks transport to the recycling plant.
Stage 2: Sorting
Once the bottles reach the recycling company, sorting happens using the conveyor belt. Sorting is to remove plastic caps, metals, labels, and any other contaminants. The particles can hinder smooth recycling. It also involves grouping the perfume bottles according to color.
Stage 3: Crushing
It is smashing the perfume bottles into smaller culets. That happens through the use of specialized machines. Crushing bottles helps reduce them into finer and moldable pieces for easier melting and shaping.
Stage 4: Melting
Here, heating takes place. The small culets melt into glass lava. The mold makes various reusable glass perfume containers again. Later on, they cool and repacked for sale. It is that easy and fast.
What Factors Should You Consider When Recycling Glass Perfume Bottles?
Yes! Glass perfume containers are manageable and 100% recyclable. That is why it is necessary to ensure recycling happens for every bottle. However, the following measures must be in place for successful recycling:
Adhere to the instructions
As said earlier, each municipal council and town has laws on how to dispose and recycle glasses. There are places, banks, and bins to put the used glass bottles. It is paramount to check out the rules and labels on the glass. Know the centers to take the bottles for collection and reuse.
Empty the containers
It is easier to collect and recycle glass perfume bottles when empty. That is because some perfumes are explosive, and others corrosive if exposed. Remove the plastic spray mechanism and the metal seal to empty the container. You can leave the glass cap if there is one.
Think of other ways to reuse
There are perfume bottles that companies cannot recycle according to recycling laws. That does not mean the bottle is not reusable. Take the bottle, wash it, and use it as a reel vessel or a prop to hold flowers during a photoshoot.
Final Thoughts!
Glass perfume bottles are the preferred mode of packaging perfumes and colognes. Are glass perfume bottles recyclable? That is a question many customers ask when disposing of a used container.
The answer is a definite yes. There are companies dedicated to making glass bottles and recycling them for reuse. What makes it possible?
Glass perfume containers are manageable, environmentally friendly, and made of 100% recyclable material. That gives a customer luxury and sophistication while still minding the environment. You need to collect, sort, melt, and reshape used containers for reuse.
Gozonepack produces high-quality bottles that go beyond their function of preserving fragrances. Browse our collection of reusable glass perfume bottles to add to your home’s decor. You can explore our catalog to rediscover the wonders of repurpose activities.