{"id":30613,"date":"2021-06-01T11:55:45","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T15:55:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/info.glass.com\/?p=30613"},"modified":"2022-04-04T11:33:17","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T15:33:17","slug":"can-glass-shower-doors-be-recycled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/can-glass-shower-doors-be-recycled\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Glass Shower Doors Be Recycled?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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G<\/span>lass shower doors are some of the most popular ways to design a <\/span>sleek<\/span> and appealing bathroom. Glass shower doors are timeless and a beautiful way to modernize a bathroom. But what do you do when they have run their course and <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> time<\/span> to replace them? Many people wonder if it is possible to recycle their shower doors to avoid wasting a perfectly good piece of glass. The short answer is that glass shower doors<\/a> cannot be recycled in the traditional way, but reusing or repurposing the glass door is a great option to be more sustainable and eco-friendly!<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are Glass Shower Doors Made <\/span>of?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Today, most glass sho<\/span>wer doors are composed<\/span> of tempered glass. Tempered glass is made through a process of heating and co<\/span>oling the glass in order to make a more durable product. Durability is of great importance for shower doors as they are used frequently and cannot risk shattering and injuring users.<\/p>\n

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Another, less common option for shower doors, is using laminated glass. <\/span>Laminated glass<\/span><\/a> consists of at least two pieces of glass and one plastic interlayer that holds glass together when broken. This type of glass is perfect for safety because it protects from injuries. The great thing about laminated glass is that it can be recycled in some are<\/span>as. However, high moisture levels from showers can cause the glass to de-laminate over time, making laminated glass a less popular choice. Laminated glass is also used to make windshields. <\/span>Check with your <\/span>local auto glass<\/a> replacement companies to see if they have recycling programs that would make laminated glass recycling possible for you!<\/span><\/p>\n

Some shower doors have <\/span>hydrophobic coatings<\/span><\/a> that protect against grime and bacteria growth. In addition to the chemicals added to the glass from coatings, there are additional parts to shower doors like plastic, metal, and rubber to keep the structure functional within the shower. All of these factors make glass shower doors unique from other glass, <\/span>making glass<\/span> shower doors difficult to traditionally recycle. <\/span><\/p>\n

Can You Recycle Glass Shower <\/span>Doors?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Glass recycling has been around for a long time. One of the great things about\"hinged-shower-door\" glass is that it is <\/span>infinitely recyclable, meaning that it does not break down no matter how many times it is recycled. It can be an excellent alternative to other materials such as plastic, which can only be recycled about two to three times. <\/span><\/p>\n

Although,<\/span> typically food-grade glass is the only type that can be recycled. It is always best to double check with your local county government to see what <\/span>is recyclable in your area<\/span> to be sure. <\/span>This means that glass shower doors usually<\/span> are<\/span> not able to be recycled in the traditional way. You may be wondering why this is. This is because glass shower doors and traditionally recycled bottled glass have a different chemical makeup that does not allow for them to be recycled together.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As mentioned earlier, shower doors also come with metal, plastic, and rubber parts that would be too expensive and time consuming for the traditional recycling service to remove and recycle. Glass bottles are much more uniform and less complex than the variety of windows and glass doors that would be more complex to navigate recycling. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, traditional recycling is not our only option for recycling. Reus<\/span>e and repurposing<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> a way to recycle in a more creative fashion.<\/span><\/p>\n

What You Can Do Instead<\/span><\/h2>\n

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As mentioned, all hope is not lost!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While you may not be able to use traditional recycling methods, with the help of some creativity, your glass shower doors can find a new home. The great thing is that there are plenty of alternative and creative solutions to recycling your glass shower doors. Repurposing and reusing are the best ways to do this with your doors. Below are some suggestions for how to \u201crecycle\u201d glass shower doors in new ways.<\/p>\n

Some crafty examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n