Visy Glass - The Chemistry of Glass Recycling

This unit is designed to educate students about the chemical properties of glass and the intricacies of the glass recycling process. By deepening students' understanding of the physical and chemical properties of different types of glass they will understand how these properties affect their recyclability.

Students will gain insights into the science behind glass production and recycling by exploring various types of glass and learning why some types of glass can be recycled and others cannot. Students will analyse the composition and structure of glass and discover how this influences recycling methods currently used today.

Students will also explore the methods used to separate recyclable materials from each other once they have been taken away from households. By focusing on the glass recycling process, students will learn how the properties of materials, such as colour, density, and chemical composition, can influence the separation process in recycling facilities. 

This unit emphasises the critical role of understanding material properties in effective recycling, aiming to increase students’ scientific literacy and foster informed and environmentally conscious behaviours.