EVERGLASS: THE NEW ROLE OF GLASS IN A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY. TECHNOLOGY FOR THE INTEGRAL RECYCLING OF GLASS.

Introduction

Glass recycling uses mature technology limited by high energy consumption to melt tons of glass and the inflexibility of a heavy-duty system. Current technology only allows the recycling of certain glasses and a very small amount of waste generated. A new technology is required to allow the integral recycling of all types of glass, drastically reducing the carbon footprint.

Proposed Technology

EverGLASS proposes to develop a radically new technology called "glass laser transformation" for on-site glass recycling and the generation of customized or technical products. Users will feed waste into a new machine and select which new product to get.

Vision and Ambition

The vision is ambitious, as it aims to bring to the consumer market a novel technology to enable virtually infinite reuse of glass. It is also radical since, through a multipurpose system capable of being located on any site, it proposes an alternative approach to the traditional centralized recycling process. This is particularly important in areas where this model is not possible, generating thousands of tons of glass waste annually taken to landfills.

Advantages of the New Technology

The new technology goes beyond the current limitations of the systems, which include:

1. High energy use
2. Expensive and rigid process
3. Strong logistical requirements

It adopts a highly environmentally friendly model that will allow flexibility in the use of the material and in the process. Therefore, EverGLASS has the potential to revolutionize recycling as a concept.

User Participation and Personalization

The project also addresses one of the main problems with recycling: user participation. It does this in an innovative way by allowing the personalization of recycled items for different uses.

Environmental Impact

Finally, it aims to encourage the use and reuse of glass as a quality material, displacing more environmentally problematic materials, such as plastics.

Collaborative Expertise

This project brings together experts from various fields:

• Advanced laser technologies (UVIGO)
• Glass and ceramics science (ICV-CSIC)
• Glass processing and engineering (TnUAD)
• Risk and impact assessment (ACTALIA)
• Social Sciences (ESCI)
• Numerical simulation (ITWM)