Recycling plays a central role in the sustainable utilisation of raw materials in Switzerland - including in the production of insulation materials. Glass wool is a good example of this: a significant proportion of the raw materials used come from used glass. However, not all used glass is equally suitable. In this article, we explain which types of glass are used - and why this makes ecological sense.
What is glass wool and why is recycled glass important?
Glass wool is a mineral insulating material that is made from recycled glass, among other things. It is used in the building envelope for thermal, acoustic and fire protection. By using recycled glass, the consumption of natural raw materials can be significantly reduced - saving energy and CO₂.
Not all used glass is suitable
The main material used in the production of glass wool is so-called Flat glass used. These include
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Window glass
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Mirror glass
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Glass doors
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Glass facades
This differs significantly from Packaging glass such as bottles or jars. Flat glass has different chemical properties - it contains fewer heavy metals and colour additives and is therefore ideal for further processing in the insulation industry.
Origin of the used glass
The flat glass mainly comes from the construction industry, for example:
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old windows
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used façade elements
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Demolition projects and building renovations
In Switzerland, around 50 to 60 per cent of the raw materials for glass wool are obtained from recycled glass. The exact proportion depends on the availability and quality of the collected material.
Benefits for the environment and resources
The use of recycled glass has numerous ecological advantages:
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Reduction of raw material consumption: Less quartz sand, soda and lime are required.
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Energy savingMelting down used glass requires less energy than processing natural raw materials.
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Fewer CO₂ emissionsLess energy consumption also means fewer greenhouse gases.
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Supporting the circular economyRecycling instead of landfilling.
Quality starts with the right preparation
Careful processing is necessary to turn waste glass into high-quality glass wool. Foreign substances such as:
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Wood scraps from window frames
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Sealants
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Other types of glass
must be reliably removed before melting. This is the only way to produce a high-quality insulating material that fulfils the requirements of the construction industry.
Conclusion
For the production of glass wool insulation, mainly Recycled flat glass is used - not packaging glass. This recycling conserves valuable resources, saves energy and reduces emissions. Glass wool therefore not only contributes to the energy efficiency of buildings, but also to a sustainable circular economy in Switzerland.
