Are Mirrors Recyclable?

Mirrors have been around in some form or another for thousands of years. People started seeing their reflections in ponds and lakes.  They then used polished stone and metal pieces to give a somewhat crude image of themselves.

Mirrors made from these materials were unfortunately very expensive and were only available to the extremely wealthy. Less fortunate people still used the stand-by of looking at themselves in ponds…sometimes even standing in line to do so.

 “In 1835, German chemist Justus von Liebig developed a process for applying a thin layer of metallic silver to one side of a pane of clear glass. This technique was soon adapted and improved upon, allowing for the mass production of mirrors.”

Because these more modern-day mirrors are not made from a single type of material, they are not considered a recyclable item by most processes. Between the chemically treated glass and the adherence of a metallic substance, mirrors are still considered a trash item.

For more information on trash and recycling options visit www.wasteawaygroup.com.

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