Glass recycling has been practiced for thousands of years. The first recorded evidence dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, where early civilizations repurposed glass. 

Around 3,600 years ago, the first glass objects were made using sand, soda, and lime. The technology spread across Mesopotamia, Syria, and Egypt. 

The Egyptians pioneered glass recycling by melting broken glass pieces to create new objects, a technique that saved valuable resources.

Romans collected broken glass fragments, known as ‘cullet,’ and melted them to make new glassware, reducing the need for raw materials. 

During the medieval period, glass recycling persisted, especially in Venice, where artisans refined techniques to produce high-quality recycled glass. 

Mass production of glass increased waste, leading to the development of new recycling techniques to handle the growing demand for repurposed glass. 

In the early 1900s, a bottle deposit system emerged, incentivizing consumers to return glass bottles for reuse and recycling. 

As cities expanded, so did recycling efforts. New facilities were developed to sort and process glass waste more efficiently. 

Modern recycling plants introduced mechanical sorters, improving efficiency by separating glass from other waste materials. 

In the 1970s and 1980s, curbside recycling programs encouraged households to separate and recycle glass waste.

Today, over 30% of glass is recycled in the U.S., thanks to advancements in technology, public awareness, and government initiatives. 

Innovations like eco-friendly glass manufacturing and enhanced recycling methods continue to drive sustainability in the glass industry.