Funded initiatives
Mobile Glass Crusher
The Glass Packaging Forum funds programmes that develop alternative volume uses for local waste glass. The projects that are up and running are listed on this page. The Forum has also purchased a Mobile Glass Crusher for nation-wide use.
Click on a location on the map to read about successful glass recycling projects in that area.
Notwithstanding that those initial applications for Grants were limited, the Forum has now made a considerable sum of money available to investigate a number of initiatives from a broad range of applicants. While the emphasis has been on utilizing the material as a substitute for aggregate, a number of other interesting projects are being evaluated which should result in a higher value use of the material.
With a number of approaches seeking funding to process limited volumes of waste glass, the Forum has taken the initiative of developing a programme for a mobile crusher, thereby optimising the return on the plant investment and minimising costs to individual Local Authorities.
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While the Forum's mobile crusher has certainly assisted in providing support to a number of Local Authorities and Community Recyclers involved in processing recovered glass it has become apparent to that there are many further opportunities which could be addressed with an even smaller machine that would also provide a finer finished product. |
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As a result Silaca Crushers, operators of the Mobile Crusher, have designed and developed a unit which sits on a skip bin or trailer, can be manually feed and as a result provide colour separated glass. This is an inexpensive unit that will allow for purchase by local operators who will then be able to deal with incoming collections without the need to store in volume before processing. For further information go to www.crushedglass.co.nz |
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Waiheke Island |
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Waiheke Island - Waiheke Resource Trust has received funding for a versatile crusher which will enable locally sourced glass aggregate to be used on the island and also reduce the need for expensive transport costs to the mainland (Auckland). | ||
A novel method of producing a low cost concrete type product using various recycled materials. The product looks like and behaves like a concrete. It is chemically inert and resistant to fungi. It can easily be made to look like several types of rock, ceramic tiles or coloured concrete. Aggregates of different types can be impregnated into its surface during manufacture. The process represents an opportunity to utilise a number of 'wastes' and produce a product for local application.
Palmerston North City CouncilThe council, in co-operation with Higgins Contractors, have produced cycle tracks and hard stand areas utilising glass in the base course. Currently trialling a section of road and will be researching innovative glass collection methods to improve material quality. More recently the Council has, in association with TBL Solutions, commenced an evaluation of a range of Kerbside collection programmes as alternatives to commingling which will result in recovery of better quality glass. |
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NEW SPLIT BIN – Multi Products Kept SeparateThe Forum recently committed to supporting the development of a unique household recycling bin and modified truck which will allow for glass to be kept separate from other household recyclables without requiring the need for a separate collection system. This process will allow for one trip mechanized handling while still keeping the glass separate and the containers largely unbroken allowing for colour separation and quality material for remanufacture. | |
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5% Crushed Glass Aggregate ProjectPalmerston North City Council in partnership with Fullcircle and Higgins Aggregate have initiated a "5% Crushed Glass Aggregate Project". The project aim is to prove the concept of crushed glass aggregate in the New Zealand context and pave the way for other New Zealand organisations to use excess recycled glass in this manner. Click here to download full project details [pdf 1.0MB]. |
At his address to the Packaging Product Stewardship Meeting, the Minister Nick Smith noted that packaging is a very visible part of the waste stream and he receives a lot of correspondence about its role in our litter problem. The Forum is funding a glass vac scooter trial in Palmerston North which is half way through focusing on picking up broken glass from roads and footpaths. |
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The Forum has worked with Transit New Zealand, Fulton Hogan and Higgins Contractors to establish a modified specification for road base course allowing for 5% glass. This provides ongoing opportunities to utilise locally that glass which cannot be supplied for the manufacture of new bottles and jars. |
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Nelson City Council / Fulton HoganNelson City Council in co operation with Fulton Hogan have trialled crushing techniques to enable the inclusion of glass in roading projects as a result glass from a number of South Island locations is now being used for this purpose. |
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Spy Valley Wines - Glass Mulch in vineyardSpy Valley Wines have purchased a glass crusher from America and are now crushing their own as mulch in their vineyard - see www.spyvalleywine.co.nz. |
Wastebusters Trust received funding to pursue opportunities to supply Potters Industries in Australia with high quality flint cullet for use in reflective paints. While there has been one specific shipment, this project is yet to be commercially effective. Waste Busters received funds from the Glass Forum to facilitate the upgrade of glass storage bunkers, thereby ensuring colour separation. |
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Hurunui RecyclingHurunui Recycling has received funding to develop special crushing techniques which will assist in producing cullet to the standard required by Potters and suitable for the development of building products such as foamed glass insulation. |
While not financially supported by the Forum, MetaNZ (formally Terranova) are producing ground glass for replacement in sand blasting, a filtration medium. Trials are also under way with the New Zealand Turf Institute to use glass for 'coring' and other trials are underway utilizing glass as a mulch in vineyards. Sandihurst Winery is one of a number of vineyards in the area using glass as a mulch. |
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The Glass Packaging Forum commissioned Eco Consult in Christchurch to report on glass as a very effective filtration Medium. If you wish to receive the report please email Donna at the Glass Packaging Forum – donna.glassforum@xtra.co.nz |  |
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Smart BottlesSmart Bottles received funding for this boutique voluntary container reuse programme in South Island. The Glass Packaging Forum is now able to monitor the effectiveness of a non mandatory container recovery system.  
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Wastebusters Central Otago has received funding to help diminish their continuing stockpile of glass. Wastebusters will commission Fulton Hogan to crush approx 1700 tonnes of glass into aggregate. The Forum is to provide some support for the infrastructure required for the ongoing operation. Wastebusters received a grant for a part payment of a Forkhoist to enable glass to be loaded directly into shipping containers so as to keep the colour separated and sent directly to OI New Zealand for the manufacturer of new containers. |
Shining Path has recently received funding to refine their crusher operation thereby producing a greater range of glass aggregate for a number of local uses. With the rationalisation of the Wastebusters operation this will provide further opportunities. Shining Path has also developed a 'back lit' glass panel allowing for illuminated paths. |
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Again trials using cullet as a filter medium and as a base course for Department of Conservation walking tracks. Update required. |
Overview What Can the Crusher Do? Further Facts Mobile Crusher Launched Media - Radio/TV Interviews
New Zealanders are now doing so well at recycling glass that we are collecting more than is needed to make new glass containers. This is a particular problem for towns and communities in the South Island or those at a distance from Auckland because it costs more than the value of the glass to transport the recycled glass (known as cullet) back to the Auckland furnace to make new glass.
There are plenty of uses around New Zealand for this glass such as in the sporting turf and golf bunkers; base course for roading; water filtration; agricultural mulch; erosion protection and sandblasting, but first the glass needs to be crushed.
Many places simply don't have the equipment locally to crush their glass so they are stockpiling it until they find something to do with it. New Zealanders and tourists don't want to see stockpiles of glass as they drive through our countryside particularly if it can be re-used now.
So in 2007 the Glass Forum purchased a mobile glass crusher, which operates in conjunction with Silaca Crushers Ltd. The Glass Crusher was launched on the steps of Parliament in October 2007 and will go on tour around the country to crush glass at a reasonable cost, which can then be put to good use locally.
Any queries regarding the on-site crusher should be addressed to John Webber - john@glassforum.org.nz or an Application for Crushing can be made with the attached form.
In 2008, the Glass Packaging Forum held a nationwide school competition to 'name the crusher'. "CLASS RAP".
The competition targeted school children aged 9-15 years who were expected to come up with a "rap" naming the crusher, saying why recycling is important and what is happening with glass in the area they live in. The competition was fronted by New Zealand rap icon - CHE FU.
Che wrote the hook lyrics giving students a "rap by numbers" template to work from.
The final rap, now called - DO THE KRUSHER - is a combination of the two winning rap group's lyrics (THE STORM - Fitzroy School - New Plymouth and WIRELESS -Fairfield School - Dunedin).
DO THE KRUSHER and the lyrics can be downloaded from the Class rap competition results page.
The KRUSHER now boasts a name from each winning school namely, THE GRIZZLY BEAR and SHATTER.
To view video clips of competition highlights from woah to go, go to the Class Rap '08 page.
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The glass crusher is a versatile machine producing versatile products. It's about the size of a skip and fits on the back of its own trailer so can be moved around the country. The glass crusher will munch its way through glass stockpiles and process the glass into to a range of different crush sizes. Different size glass can be used for different things. |
Facts about the Glass Crusher [800KB]
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MORE FM Winery Tour to Champion Recycle MessageThe Glass Packaging Forum has teamed up with the promoter of the 2010 MORE FM Winery Tour - Civic Events - to take the recycling/recovery message to a wider audience. |
| Recycling, with an emphasis on glass will be promoted at each of the 18 Winery Tour shows nationwide so that the estimated 50,000 people attending the concerts will be able to recycle their bottles more » | |
