Yes, They now recycle windshields

[Hawaii Guy]

Okay, I now can say "I have seen it all". Alright, maybe not all.
I was just on the computer when it jumped out at me and I had to look. It was windshield glass being recycled into Wine Glasses and when I researched it I also found Beer Glasses and a Multi Purpose Bowl (I am thinking suitable for Sangria or and other type of Punch). It is made in Columbia (I assume South America). If the moderator allows the web to be posted I will give it but in the meantime just look up uncommon goods and you'll find it. I do not know if this wants me to see more cracked windshields or drink more wine and beer. Either way, windshields live on. Yipee

[J.T.Window]

This is just great - now I have to edit the 'green' page of my site

[Roo]

I also found(it might have been on the same site) where someone was making old windshields into shower surrounds and glass windows and doors inside office buildings. I think they are ugly and expensive. Even if windshields are being recycled the production of glass has it's effect on the environment and takes massive amounts of energy to produce, so windshield repair is still overall the best alternative for a green lifestyle.

Until someone recycles broken windshields into new windshields for a competitive price I don't see windshield recycling posing a threat to our business. I think it is great that someone is making all those wasted windshields into new products though. We all know there is plenty in the landfills for them to get.

[Glasseye]

There has been some recycling of windscreen ( windshield ) glass in the UK for some time now, the main product produced from this is bottles, but there is too much contaminate in terms of interlayer/polyurethane/frit to produce economical quality glass.

[Jbrodie]

If we keep it quiet no one will ever find out. We want the public to believe that replacing a windshield is a waste and it is better to repair them first and repalce it later. Or we may need to find another line of work.

[heezybeezy]

I can't remember the magazine, but I did see a whole house built with recycled windshield's, it actually pretty cool. Also have known a few people to drill holes in them for air and use them as starter greenhouses in the early stages of planting in the spring.

[scrubs147]

I found this:

Windshields are manufactured with two layers of glass with a strong plastic (usually PVC) membrane sandwiched between the panes. This structure limits recyclability dramatically. Plate glass itself is challenging to recycle because of its different chemical composition from container glass. Plate glass and automotive glass can be successfully recycled into construction aggregate or other secondary markets if the glass can be separated from the film. Separating film plastic from windshield glass requires that the glass be broken adequately to free the film, while keeping the film in large enough pieces that it can be removed without fouling equipment.

Systems are now available to crush windshields and screen film plastic residuals in a turn-key system. In one system, compression feed rollers are used to guide windshields through a processing system at a predetermined rate and physical orientation. The system is 70 inches long, 50 inches wide and 56 inches high. The input opening is up to 43 inches and drive components include a 10 horsepower motor, solid steel shaft, 40 hammers constructed of flailing arms made from hardened steel, 2 inch heavy duty isolated bearings, and two - ten inch compression feed rollers. Controlled feed is necessary because flexible impactors are used to flail the glass off the plastic membrane, while keeping plastic pieces as large as possible for removal during screening.

A successful removal operation relies on the equipment configuration and material properties of glass and plastic to enable pulverization of the constituents so that the PVC pieces are larger than the glass for separation in a trommel screen. One pass through one of these systems separates the PVC from the glass windshield and pulverizes the glass into a clean, homogenous product of less than 1/4" in size. The plastic PVC laminate remains in pieces one-inch and larger. This system is capable of processing four to five tons per hour (one windshield every five to ten seconds).

When trying to explore this type of machinery and who makes it I hit a lot of dead links as if the sales for these giant recycling machines are probably non-existent (http://www.recycle.net/andela/index.html) they're obviously not very cheap. From what I understand, this process of recycling windshields is not profitable which means, in order to help promote windshield recycling, Uncle Sam would have to step in with some offered benefits.

So, for right now, I would think it's safe to say that even though windshield recycling is very possible with some (far and few in between) areas being successful at it, due to the lack of profitability and over head funding, it will be years before we see this sort of productivity being the norm like metal recycling.

[scrubs147]

Also... http://www.youtube.com/andelaproducts#p ... WsCRdAa-Pc is a pretty cool video. Even with some of the recycling of windshields, it seems that the uses are limited as to what the end result can be used for.