We all know that recycling is important for the environment. But what about those pesky beer bottles? Are they recyclable? The answer might surprise you…
99 Bottles of (100% Recyclable) Beer on the Wall!
It turns out that beer bottles are actually 100% recyclable! That means that every time you recycle a beer bottle, you’re doing your part to help the environment. In fact, recycling just one beer bottle can save enough energy to power a light bulb for 3 hours!
So how do you recycle a beer bottle? It’s actually pretty simple. Just rinse out the bottle and then place it in your recycling bin. That’s it! There are some complications for the recycling company, but we’ll cover those next so you’re aware of the complications caused by brown glass.
Brown Glass Requires a Few Extra Steps
Beer bottles are made of a type of glass called brown glass. Brown glass is made of a mix of sand, limestone, and soda ash. This type of glass is not easily recyclable because it cannot be melted down and reformed like other types of glass. As a result, brown glass must be crushed into a powder and mixed with other materials in order to be recycled.
The recycling process for brown glass is more expensive and time-consuming than the recycling process for other types of glass. As a result, many recycling facilities do not accept brown glass. In fact, only about 30% of brown glass is recycled each year. The rest ends up in landfills where it takes up valuable space and takes centuries to break down.
Buying Local to Reduce Transportation Emissions
Of course, recycling isn’t the only way to help the environment. You can also reduce your carbon footprint by choosing to drink local beers. When you buy local, you cut down on the emissions from transportation, which is good for the environment and good for your community.
So there you have it! Beer bottles are recyclable, so there’s no need to feel guilty about enjoying a cold one. Cheers to a cleaner earth!
