The given diagram illustrates the various stages involved in the cyclical process of which glass bottles are recycled. Overall, the process at hand is a continuous man-made sequence in which used glass bottles are disposed of and culminates in the redistribution of recycled glass products to supermarkets.
The process begins with the disposal of glass bottles post-consumer usage, after which they are collected and concentrated in specialized facilities. It is within such facilities that glass bottles of varying shapes and sizes are sanitized to prevent harmful residue from previous usages from affecting the recycling process. Following the sanitization, the glass bottles go through thorough sorting on account of their distinct shapes and colours, primarily into 3 groups of glass colours (clear, green and brown).
Continuing from the stage of separation, the bottles are crushed up into cullets, that of which are melted to prepare for the antepenultimate step. The molten glass goes through shaping before they are distributed to supermarkets and stores, where they once again are used by consumers.