Reprocessing waste glass involves:
- crushing or grinding waste glass bottles, windows and glass from other sources
- storing and transporting waste glass.
The reprocessing process produces glass fines. These are small glass particles, generally less than 5 mm in diameter.
Glass fines are used to replace quarried materials in construction activities, including for:
- engineered or structural fill material
- pipe bedding
- drainage
- washed sand in concrete for general paving works
- road construction.
Waste glass reprocessing and the law
The general environmental duty applies to all activities, including glass manufacturing and waste glass reprocessing. You must eliminate or reduce the risks of harm so far as reasonably practicable. This includes the storage and management of waste glass and glass fines.
Waste duties apply to managing waste glass for reprocessing. For more information, visit Understand your waste obligations and duties.
In addition to the duties, you must get a permission to reprocess waste glass. Permissions have conditions that must be met.
The permission you need depends on your design capacity to reprocess waste glass:
- above 10,000 tonnes per year, you need a H05b – Glass works (large reprocessing) development and operating licence
- up to 10,000 tonnes per year, you need a H05c – Glass works (small reprocessing) registration.
To manufacture glass by melting raw materials, you need a H05a – Glass works (manufacturing) licence.
For more information on applying for a permission, visit How to apply for a permission.
Our role in waste glass for reprocessing
We regulate the storage, transport and deposit of industrial waste. This includes waste glass for reprocessing.
We provide industry guidance to help waste producers, transporters and receivers understand their duties and obligations.
For guidance for the manufacturing industry, visit Small business and manufacturing industry.
Impact of waste glass reprocessing on your health and the environment
Common hazards in waste glass reprocessing include:
Particles less than 2.5 micrometres (0.0025 mm) in size can penetrate the lungs and have negative health impacts. Learn more about the health impacts of PM2.5 particles in the air.
Crushing and storage of glass fines can impact human health and the environment. Glass fines can:
- produce particle emissions, such as dust and odour
- impact surface waters if allowed to enter waterways.
Glass fines may also be contaminated – for example, with ammonia, phosphorous or nitrates. Using contaminated glass fines in construction activities creates a risk of harm to the environment. The contaminants present may enter the environment.
Updated