- Broken windows and flat glass from households have traditionally ended up in landfill, contributing to construction and demolition waste
- Aucklanders can now drop off windows and flat glass for recycling at the Wairau and Tāmaki Community Recycling Centres as part of a trial
- The flat glass will be recycled at the new 5R Solutions facility in Wiri and remanufactured into new products.
A new flat glass recycling service has been introduced in Auckland so that Aucklanders can give their broken windows and other flat glass a new lease on life.
Before, if a window pane was broken during a vigorous game of backyard cricket or on a wayward DIY project, the only way to deal with it was to wrap it in paper and put it in the rubbish bin or throw it into a skip bound for landfill. Construction and demolition waste makes up a significant amount of waste sent to landfill, and flat glass has traditionally been one of the harder items to reuse.
Now Aucklanders have a more sustainable option.
As part of a six month trial, Auckland Council is endorsing expanded flat glass recycling, with residents able to drop off flat glass at two community recycling centres:
- Wairau Community Recycling Centre in Glenfield
- Tāmaki Community Recycling Centre in Point England
Glass from windows and windscreens is known as flat glass, and it’s different from the glass used to make bottles and jars. The new service gives flat glass a second life and helps reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Flat glass melts at a different temperature and often contains coatings, laminates or reinforcing layers. When mixed with bottle glass, it can contaminate recycling processes and cause manufacturing faults. This is why flat glass can’t go in kerbside recycling bins.
Both community recycling centres will collect the flat glass on behalf of specialist recycler 5R Solutions, ensuring it is processed correctly and reused rather than buried in landfill.
Residents can drop off entire or broken window panes at either of the participating community recycling centres. The glass is then transported to the newly opened 5R Solutions commercial glass recycling facility where it is crushed and remanufactured into new products.
Crushed flat glass can be reused in a range of applications, including:
- insulation and construction materials
- wastewater and filtration systems
- new glass products
Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina, who represented the Mayor at 5R Solutions opening of its new facility in Wiri last month, says expanding flat‑glass recycling options is an important step toward reducing landfill waste.
“Glass is a valuable resource, not rubbish. This new service helps keep valuable materials in circulation and supports a circular economy, where resources are retained and reused for as long as possible,” Cr Filipaina says.
“By using our community recycling centres as collection points, we’re making it easier for Aucklanders to do the right thing and keep reusable materials in circulation. This is exactly the kind of practical solution we need to reduce waste and protect our environment.”
Auckland Council Senior Waste Planning Advisor Felicity Johnson says flat glass has long been a challenging material to manage through household waste systems, particularly from small scale home repairs and renovations.
“Flat glass is a common by product of DIY projects, but until now there have been limited, practical options for residents to recycle it. This trial allows us to test how well community recycling centres can capture that material and divert it from landfill in a safe and effective way,” says Ms Johnson.
An assessment of the trial will be carried out with a view to expanding flat glass collection to more community recycling centres in the future if it proves popular.
Who can use the service
Residents: Flat glass, including broken and intact windows, can be dropped off during opening hours at either Wairau Community Recycling Centre or Tāmaki Community Recycling Centre as part of the six month trial. Charges may apply; residents are encouraged to check what types of glass are accepted with their local community recycling centre before visiting.
Businesses: As a commercial operation, 5R Solutions accepts larger quantities of flat glass directly from businesses for recycling, outside of the community recycling centre trial. Businesses should contact 5R Solutions directly for enquiries about commercial glass recycling services.
What types of flat glass are accepted
Flat glass (single pane) is accepted at both Wairau and Tamaki CRCs. Aucklanders can check with their nearest community recycling centre for more types of flat glass that may be accepted.