Glass as an abrasive

"Glassblast" or surface cleaner

The majority of container glass is recycled back into new containers to package food and beverages. However, many companies and counties are exploring alternative recycling options for post-consumer glass.

Glass beads are used in blasting and surface-cleaning applications. Blasting with glass beads made of recycled glass can perform better in certain applications than virgin glass beads. The abrasion of the crushed glass can improve the quality of the blast. Beads sold in Minnesota range from 95-100% recycled post-consumer content.

OSHA-approved. The federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has classified the dust created from glass blasting as a "nuisance dust." Glass does not contribute to the lung disease silicosis. However, dust resulting from surface cleaning with sand (crystalline silica) is considered a contributor to the lung disease silicosis. (29CFR1910.1000)

Vendors of recycled glass and glass beads

Raguse Manufacturing (contact: Steve Raguse)
RR 2 Box 24, Wheaton, MN 56296
phone: 320-563-8389   fax: 320-563-0092
100% post-consumer glass

Glass Advantage
230 15th St NW, West Fargo, ND 58078
phone: 701-277-9200   fax: 701-364-1281
Processes 600 tons/month of post-consumer glass cullet

Potters Industries: BALLOTINI™ Glass Beads
Blasting applications, cleaning, peening, and deburring using recycled-glass beads.
Recycled content: 95% (75% post-consumer glass, 20% post-industrial)

TriVitro Corp: VitroGrit
Crushed recycled glass for surface preparation, rust, and paint removal, and abrasive cleaning. Range of sizes/coarseness.
100% recycled glass

Related research

Testing and Certification of Recycled Glass Blasting AbrasivesA report on an initial study of the performance of recycled glass as a blasting abrasive. It also includes testing and certification of glass abrasives manufactured by TriVitro Corporation by the California Air Resources Board. (1997)

U.S. EPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice recommends recycled-content levels for purchasing blasting grit, including 100% recycled glass.

Evalution of substitute materials for silica sand in abrasive blasting (100Kb)
Phase 3 of a study commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (March 1999)