Disposal of large glass items such as mirrors, windows, and shower screens carries a severe risk of injury. This type of waste cannot be placed in standard recycling bins, making disposal difficult. Aus Rubbish Removals offers safe and same-day glass removal and disposal services in Sydney, taking glass waste to specialised recycling centres. Glass waste is unlike any other type of rubbish. It is heavy, awkward to carry, and incredibly dangerous in case it breaks. Compared to timber or cardboard, glass is also challenging to dispose of.
Whether you’re a homeowner who’s renovating your bathroom or updating your windows, or a retail store owner improving your display cabinets and glass panels, you need an expert glass removal specialist who can safely and efficiently remove this type of waste.
Aus Rubbish Removals in Sydney knows exactly what homeowners and shop owners need for glass waste. Our premier team can handle heavy and bulky waste, including windows, mirrors, and shower enclosures, so you don’t have to. We take glass waste to recycling centres, where it is processed without harming people or the environment.
Types of Large Glass We Safely Remove
Once a window or a mirror breaks, it immediately becomes rubbish that must be removed quickly. Aside from being dangerous, broken glass pieces can take up space and cannot be easily disposed of in a bin [1].
The following are the most common types of large household and commercial glass that usually end up as junk:
Bathroom & Bedroom
Bedroom and bathroom renovations and demolitions usually produce a massive amount of glass waste, which may or may not be broken or smashed into bits. Glass waste from frameless shower screens, large sliding mirrored wardrobe doors, and heavy vanity mirrors is heavy, bulky, and very dangerous to just leave around the worksite.
Windows & Doors
Updating your dated glass windows and doors often results in large panels of glass that are too heavy and bulky to store in your basement or garage. From annealed (standard) window panes to heavy double-glazed units, sliding glass patio doors to louvre glass, we can help you reclaim your space with just one same-day pick-up.
Furniture
Aside from home interiors, glass waste also comes from broken or discarded glass furniture, including heavy tempered glass dining tables, coffee tables, and outdoor patio furniture. This type of glass is usually thicker and heavier than regular glass windows and mirrors, making expert removal necessary.
Commercial
A large portion of glass waste comes from commercial sources. Businesses that update their displays or remove shelves and office partitions during strip-outs generate large amounts of glass waste that must be removed quickly.
The Complexities and Risks of Moving Large Glass
Moving large sheets of glass is not a DIY job. Avoid the complexities of glass waste removal by hiring only an experienced removalist.
The Shatter Risk
Tempered safety glass is heat-treated to make it 4 times stronger than regular glass [2]. In homes, you can find tempered glass in windows, shower doors, patio doors, aquariums, and home furniture. By design, tempered glass can break into small pieces to prevent injury. These require careful handling to prevent them from breaking during transport.
Severe Lacerations
Handling broken window glass and mirrors can lead to deep cuts and lacerations, requiring a trip to the emergency room. Also, it’s dangerous to simply discard broken glass in the bin, as it can easily rip through thin garbage bags and injure unsuspecting garbage collectors.
Micro-Shards & Dust
Aside from large visible pieces, broken glass leaves behind an invisible trail of microscopic shards and dust that pose severe health risks. Tiny pieces may be inhaled or stepped on by pets or children if not professionally removed or vacuumed.
The Weight
Large panes of architectural glass are mostly thick and heavy, requiring at least two trained professionals to safely lift them. Only a company with the manpower and the equipment can safely remove this type of glass and take it to recycling centres.
Is Large Glass Actually Recyclable?
Most Sydneysiders are all too familiar with the yellow council bin and what it’s for. The yellow bin accepts glass bottles and jars (container glass), which are usually taken to standard recycling facilities for melting [3]. The melted glass can now be made into new bottles, jars, and other forms of glass containers.
However, the yellow bin is NOT for structural glass (windows, mirrors, and shower screens). This type of glass is treated with chemicals, laminated with plastics, or tempered, and thus has a completely different melting point. Disposing of structural glass inside a standard yellow bin will contaminate the entire load.
Structural glass can be recycled, but it needs to be taken to specialised Sydney resource recovery centres. In these facilities, structural glass is first crushed into “cullet” and repurposed to make construction sand or road base.
Fast, Same-Day Glass Removal Across Sydney
Aus Rubbish Removals is the ultimate solution for glass removal challenges across Sydney. We bridge the gap between safety and sustainability by providing same-day, efficient glass removal solutions. We
- Wear heavy-duty PPE to ensure our team’s safety.
- Use only reinforced bins to contain glass pieces and minimise handling risks.
- Have the manpower to lift heavy and bulky glass panels.
- We are partners with specialised glass recycling facilities in Sydney
Whether you need to remove a fully intact heavy shower screen or dispose of a massive pile of shattered window glass, we offer same-day collection across Sydney. Avoid the hassle and the risks of glass waste disposal by booking a removal service today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put broken window glass or mirrors in my yellow recycling bin?
No. Broken window glass and mirrors do not belong in a yellow recycling bin because they are treated glass with melting points different from container glass. This will contaminate council recycling loads, requiring separate recycling.
How should I prepare broken glass for you to pick up?
If it’s already broken, do not pick it up using your bare hands. Sweep the pieces inside a sturdy cardboard box or a thick plastic tub and label it clearly. Our team will pick this up and dispose of it for you.
Do you clean up the area after removing shattered glass?
Yes, we ensure the area is thoroughly swept of large and small shards of glass before we leave, keeping your home or worksite safe.
How much does glass removal cost?
Glass removal pricing depends on the volume and weight of the glass, as disposal facilities charge by weight. Contact us for a transparent, upfront cost estimate of the work before we proceed.
Remove Glass Waste Safely. Book Our Services Today.
Avoid serious injury like cuts and lacerations, or a messy cleanup, by attempting to transport heavy or broken glass. Whether you’re renovating your home or office, or updating your furniture, leaving glass haphazardly in your garage, driveway, or basement steals your space and poses a serious risk.
Leave the hazardous lifting to the professionals. Call Aus Rubbish Removals today or book online for safe, affordable, and same-day glass removal and eco-friendly disposal across Sydney.
References
[1] City of Sydney – Doorstep recycling for tricky items
[2] Window Film Depot – What is Tempered Glass and What it’s Used For?
[3] City of Sydney – Recycle household items