Central American countries actively promote glass recycling

According to a report recently released by the Costa Rican glass manufacturer, marketing and recycler Central American Glass Group, in 2021, more than 122000 tons of glass were recycled in Central America and the Caribbean, an increase of about 4000 tons over 2020, equivalent to 345 million glass containers being recycled. The average annual recycled glass volume has exceeded 100000 tons for five consecutive years.
Costa Rica is a country in Central America that has done a good job in promoting glass recycling. Since the launch of a program called "green electronic currency" in 2018, Costa Rican people's awareness of environmental protection has been further enhanced and they actively participate in glass recycling. According to the plan, after registration, participants will send recycled garbage, including glass bottles, to any of the 36 authorized collection centers in the country to obtain corresponding green e-money and exchange it for corresponding products and services. Since the implementation of the plan, more than 17000 registered users and more than 100 cooperative companies that can provide discounts and promotions have participated. At present, Costa Rica has established more than 200 collection centers responsible for the management of the classification and sales of recyclable waste, which can provide glass recycling services.
Relevant data show that the recovery rate of glass bottles entering the market in some regions of Central America in 2021 is as high as 90%. In order to further promote glass recycling and recycling, countries in Nicaragua, El Salvador and other regions have organized various educational and incentive activities to show the public the benefits of recycling glass materials. In other countries, the "old glass for new glass" activity was launched. Residents can receive a new glass for every 5 pounds (about 2.27 kg) of glass materials they hand in. The people actively participated in the activity and the effect was remarkable. Local environmentalists believe that glass is an advantageous packaging substitute, and the full recycling of glass products can encourage people to develop the habit of paying attention to environmental protection and sustainable consumption.
Glass is a widely used material. Because of its physical and chemical properties, glass materials can be melted and used for unlimited times. In order to promote the sustainable development of the global glass industry, 2022 was officially approved by the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly as the United Nations International Year of glass. Anna king, an environmental protection expert in Costa Rica, said that glass recycling can reduce the excavation of glass raw materials, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and soil erosion, and make contributions to coping with climate change. She introduced that a glass bottle can be reused for 40 to 60 times, thus reducing the use of at least 40 disposable bottles of other materials, thus reducing the pollution of disposable containers by as much as 97%. "The energy saved by recycling a glass bottle can light a 100 watt bulb for 4 hours. Glass recycling will bring power to sustainable development." Anna king said.