The diagram illustrates the process of producing glass containers and the stages involved in recycling used glass.
Overall, there are two main processes shown: the manufacture of new glass containers from raw materials and the recycling of used glass products. Both processes involve several sequential stages, starting from preparation and ending with the formation of new glass items.
In the production process, glass is made from a mixture of sand, soda ash, limestone, and other chemicals. This mixture is then heated in a glass furnace at approximately 1500°C to produce molten glass. After that, the molten glass is shaped through a blowing process to form final products such as glass containers.
In contrast, the recycling process begins with the collection of used glass items. These are then sorted according to colour and washed to remove any impurities. Next, the clean glass is crushed and melted. Finally, the molten material is moulded into new glass products, completing the recycling cycle.