Recycling...

Recycling in the sense of melting the glass from the conditions you describe is almost nil. When a fuser or melter can get a reliable supply of recognizable glass so compatibility becomes a known factor, then recycling is possible, if not easy. The saving in recycling is the energy, but the saving can be quickly lost in shipping. On the other hand, physically using the colored glass to make mosaics does not need compatibility, but then mosaics are way down the list of popularity and most are probably using color sources (scrap stained glass for example) that give a wider range of colors. Those who arn't probably arn't because they have their own source of stuff you want to sell. Therefore, not much market.

Cool...so if I were to get into glass work...

I totally understand the business logistics...but my artwork is just budding, and I find myself in writing, illustration, woodwork, stonework, and gardening. I have a pottery kiln that I bought used, but have not put it to use as of yet...and I would like to get into glasswork...especially if I understand the process. I have an engineering background...so bear with me...

Is the largest issue with color consistency? If I were to purchase a kiln and get into glasswork, would it make sense to recycle these little gems of pretty glass? I would think they could be crushed to the consistency of sand and melted again...couldn't they? The only thing I really know about glasswork is what I've seen on TV...and they were blowing glass...not making panes or anything else.

Cheers, K-

Mike Firth wrote:

Color consistency is not an issue. What matters most are coefficients of thermal expansion. Different glasses can vary greatly. If you fuse glasses with that have different coefficients you have an unstable mess that will crack spontaneously. If you want to slump recycled glass that has some thickness such as bottle glass you will need a kiln with a programmable controller so that you can anneal the glass slow enough that it doesn't crack.

John Bassett