Life Cycle Analysis of a Glass Bottle
Materials Extraction
The materials needed for a glass bottle are particles from different rock sources. The raw
material sourcing includes silica sand, along with soda ash and limestone. The primary raw
material for glass is silica sand, which is typically mined from open-pit quarries. Soda ash
and limestone materials are used to lower the melting point of silica and provide stability
to the glass.
The energy used in extraction of these raw materials (soda ash, silica sand, and limestone)
involves heavy machinery and equipment. These machines consume significant amounts
of diesel fuel or electricity. They often are left idling for many hours of the day, which is very
harmful to the environment. Not to mention, the machines destroy the ground which they
operate on, killing ecosystems and disturbing animals' peace which might live nearby.
The mineral mining industry is responsible for a lot of the global energy use and is one of
the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. This mining industry and the energy used
for extraction purposes is expected to rise by a factor in the range of 2-8 by 2060
(Aramendia et al., 2023). This will result in a huge rise in greenhouse gas emissions if
people don’t find future possibilities for the mining industry’s final energy consumption.
The transportation of these raw materials is essential for these glass bottle products. The
materials are transported to the manufacturing facility, often by trucks or rail, adding to the
overall energy consumption and emissions. The energy use in Canada for transporting raw
materials is high like most things. Our goods must travel a long distance between the
major cities being our country has so much land unlike other countries. This creates more
emissions as a result.
The environmental impact of mining these specific materials is critical. Mining activities
can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution, contributing to greenhouse gas
emissions indirectly. Mining not only involves transporting heavy equipment and crews,
but mining itself is not good for our planet. The excavation of mines can alter the
topography and hydrology of the area, affecting the natural drainage patterns and water
availability to those nearby.
Product Manufacture
Glass manufacturing requires melting raw materials at high temperatures which
consumes large amounts of energy. This amount of heat is necessary to transform sand
into its liquid state and eventually turns into glass. Depending on the sand mixture
mentioned above, glass can have a variety of properties. Different elements or chemicals
mixed with the sand combination can change the glass’s color (How Glass Is Made | What
Is Glass Made of? | Corning, n.d.).
Once melted, forming and shaping must take place where the molten glass is shaped into
bottles through processes such as blowing and molding. This step also requires energy for
machinery. This method uses compressed air and pushes molten glass into blank molds
before inflating it to form a shape. This shaping also includes cutting up the glass, pressing
and shaping inside the blank mold before the final glass design (Manufacturing Glass
Bottles - a Step-by-Step Guide, n.d.).
The annealing process strengthens and refines the glass. Bottles must be gradually cooled
in a furnace to relieve internal stresses, a process that requires a controlled environment
and continuous energy supply. By slowly lowering the temperature, it relieves any tension
acquired during production. This process ensures high quality products and essentially
saves time and money by needing less repairs if it is done correctly before being put on the
market (Manufacturing Glass Bottles - a Step-by-Step Guide, n.d.).
Inspection and quality control processes involve automated systems that consume
electricity. Any bottles showing imperfections including bubbles, cracks, or misshapen
areas, are removed from the line and used as cullet. A pressure test is sometimes
implemented as well which needs to be passed, if the bottle cannot withhold a certain
pressure, then it is rejected and sent for recycling to ensure quality is being met (Glass,
2024).
After manufacture, glass bottles are packaged and prepared for distribution, which
involves additional energy for packaging materials and machinery. The packaging method
depends on customer requirements. The remaining bottles that passed the quality control
are organized according to size and type or shape. The bottle are them packaged on pallets
and prepared for shipping to be sent to the designated distribution centers (Glass, 2024).
Use of Product
Glass bottles are transported from manufacturing plants or distribution centers to retail
stores or directly to consumers, often by truck, which involves fuel consumption and
emissions. The composition of the glass bottles using the previously mentioned elements
makes it 100% recyclable, essentially making them an environmentally friendly choice.
Depending on the contents, glass bottles might need refrigeration or special storage
conditions, consuming energy. Certain contents within a glass bottle or jar must be kept in
the fridge after opening and most of the time this is labeled directly on the jar. An example
which people might not always think of is water. While it does not “expire” it can become
contaminated due to external factors. Proper storage and regular checks are essential to
maintain water freshness (thepreppingguide, 2024).
Consumers may reuse glass bottles, reducing the need for new bottles but potentially
requiring cleaning and sterilization, which consumes energy. The durability of glass bottles
allows a long lifecycle if reused, reducing the need for frequent replacements and thus
lowering greenhouse gases. These bottles have been used for centuries as primary means
of packaging beverages and other products.
Many glass bottles are designed to be recyclable. Effective recycling programs can
significantly reduce the environmental impact by lowering the demand for new raw
materials and energy. Recycling these glass bottles significantly reduces energy
consumption compared to producing new glass. Recycling one ton of glass can save more
than 1,300 pounds of sand, 410 pounds of soda ash, and 380 pounds of limestone. The
recycling process also allows for job opportunities and can support local economies (Bs,
2023).
Glass wine bottles are an example of how the industry is bringing down greenhouse gas
emissions and energy. Lighter bottles are being produced for packaging as it is said to be
“so much better for the planet”. Most wine bottles have thick glass, use energy and heat
for the molds, require larger cardboard to carry the weight, etc. These all play a huge role in
the carbon emissions to create and transport even a single bottle. Companies are
switching to a lighter Bordeaux mold to try and counteract this (Andrews, 2022).
Disposal or Recycling
Used glass bottles are collected from consumers and transported to recycling facilities,
which involves energy consumption and emissions from transportation. The glass
recycling market is less volatile than plastic or paper, however the challenge is getting the
glass to the plants in the quality and condition that is usable (Fair, 2019). Many people do
not recycle, or the bottles don't make it to the factory in good condition. From people
driving to recycling depots or trucks hauling to factories, this all increases the total
emissions created.
At the recycling facility, bottles are cleaned, sorted, and crushed into a cullet (recycled
glass), a process that consumes water and energy. The bottles are initially collected from
households, businesses, etc. Where they are sorted by color to ensure purity. The sorted
glass is cleaned to remove contaminated labels, caps, and food and then the bottle is
crushed into small pieces.
Cullet is a recycling process when a glass bottle is melted and used to produce new glass
products. This process consumes less energy compared to using raw materials but still
requires substantial heat. Glass has a unique property where it has the ability to be melted
over and over again, creating different shapes each time. The cullet is heated until the
glass piece becomes molten glass where the new products are then created, however, this
process still consumes energy much like other products (Bs, 2023c).
Bottles that are not recycled end up in landfills, contributing to waste and potentially
leaching harmful substances into the environment. The bottles take many years to break
down even the slightest bit resulting in the waste essentially building up and contaminating
the land. Even though glass can be recycled time and time again, a significant amount of
glass bottles, jars, among other glass-like things end up in the landfills every day.
The recycling process itself generates emissions, though typically less than producing new
glass from raw materials. When glass is recycled, less energy is required to melt it into
cullet rather than manufacturing new glass from raw materials. When the glass is sent into
the recycling process, a substantial reduction in carbon emissions is executed. This overall
reduces the production expenses when it's recycled, making the glass products more
affordable for everyone (Li, 2023).
Part B: Improving the Recycling Process
Transportation Efficiency in Recycling
The transportation of used glass bottles to recycling facilities involves significant fuel
consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly if the distances are long and
transportation relies heavily on trucks.
Enhancing local recycling infrastructure and better developments will help reduce the
distance that glass bottles need to be transported. This could involve setting up smaller,
decentralized recycling plants in various regions. Shorter transportation distances would
result in lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions, making the recycling process more
environmentally friendly, essentially dropping the amount of greenhouse gases produced.
Easier access to recycling facilities can encourage higher participation rates among
consumers, leading to more glass being recycled rather than ending up in landfills.
Governments can partner with companies to invest in the development of local recycling
facilities. Incentives such as tax breaks could be offered to encourage this investment.
Educating the public about the benefits of recycling and the importance of participating in
recycling programs will benefit everyone.
Improving the transportation efficiency in the recycling process of glass bottles by
developing localized recycling infrastructure can significantly reduce the environmental
impact. This approach not only lowers greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes a
more sustainable lifecycle for glass products.
References:
Greenfield, E. (2023, July 14). Life cycle of glass bottles. Sigma Earth. https://sigmaearth.com/life-cycle-of-glass-
bottles/#google_vignette
Aramendia, E., Brockway, P. E., Taylor, P. G., & Norman, J. (2023). Global energy consumption of the mineral mining industry:
Exploring the historical perspective and future pathways to 2060. Global Environmental Change, 83, 102745.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102745
Manufacturing Glass Bottles - A Step-by-Step Guide. (n.d.). Vcpak -Cosmetic Jar, Container, Packaging Manufacturer.
https://vcpak.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-manufacturing-glass-bottles/
How Glass is Made | What is Glass Made of? | Corning. (n.d.). https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/innovation/materials-
science/glass/how-glass-
made.html#:~:text=The%20sand%20commonly%20used%20to%20make%20glass%20is,it%20cools%20it%20gains%
20an%20entirely%20different%20structure.
Glass, R. (2024, March 29). The production process of glass bottles and glass jars. Glass packaging containers manufacturer.
https://reihey.com/the-production-process-of-glass-bottles-and-glass-jars/
thepreppingguide. (2024, March 14). Does Water Expire in Glass Bottles? How long Does it Last? The Prepping Guide.
https://thepreppingguide.com/does-water-expire-in-glass-bottles/
Bs, U. (2023, July 9). Are glass bottles recyclable? A comprehensive guide. Finding A Suitable.
https://www.findingasuitable.com/are-glass-bottles-
recyclable/#:~:text=Recycling%20glass%20bottles%20significantly%20reduces%20energy%20consumption%20and,o
f%20soda%20ash%2C%20and%20380%20pounds%20of%20limestone.
Fair, D. (2019, September 11). Issues of the environment: The challenges of recycling glass. WEMU-FM.
https://www.wemu.org/issues-of-the-environment/2019-09-11/issues-of-the-environment-the-challenges-of-recycling-
glass
Bs, U. (2023c, July 9). Are glass bottles recyclable? A comprehensive guide. Finding A Suitable.
https://www.findingasuitable.com/are-glass-bottles-
recyclable/#:~:text=The%20Glass%20Bottle%20Recycling%20Process%201%20Collection%20and,4%20The%20crea
tion%20of%20new%20glass%20products%20
FAQs — Disposable water bottles | Mission Zero. (n.d.). https://missionzero.sheridancollege.ca/faqs/disposable-water-
bottles/#:~:text=Why%20do%20they%20create%20negative,in%20the%20oceans%20and%20shorelines.
Li, R. (2023, September 11). Shaping a sustainable future: the power of glass recycling.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/shaping-sustainable-future-power-glass-recycling-roe-
li#:~:text=When%20glass%20is%20recycled%2C%20less,expenses%2C%20making%20products%20more%20afford
able
Andrews, B. (2022, July 20). The shrinking carbon footprint of glass wine bottles | SevenFifty Daily. SevenFifty Daily.
https://daily.sevenfifty.com/the-shrinking-carbon-footprint-of-glass-wine-bottles/
Rahiman, T. (2023, December 27). The environmental impact of silica and gypsum mining: Unveiling hidden consequences.
Khaitan Bioenergy. https://khaitanbioenergy.com/the-environmental-impact-of-silica-and-gypsum-mining-unveiling-
hidden-
consequences/#:~:text=have%20detrimental%20consequences.-,Environmental%20Impacts%20Silica%20mining%20c
an%20lead%20to%20severe%20environmental%20impacts,increased%20runoff%20and%20soil%20degradation.
