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DCL

When it comes to organization, Rachelle is not the

only one undergoing a green overhaul. According to experts, the glass industry

is slowly joining the trend of becoming eco-friendly from the inside out.

Ever seen that infomercial for the clothes steamer,

the one where the host claims that no advances have been made in ironing

technology in over a century? Well, when it comes to the production of glass windows, bottles, and computer screens, things haven't

changed in over a century and perhaps much longer. Essentially, an enormous

amount of heat is applied to silica and other materials to transform it into a

molten substance, which is then formed into shapes. According to some experts,

glass making hasn't changed much since the Roman Empire was still on the rise. Clearly,

the glass industry could use a reorganization consultation.

Because heat is one of the biggest sources of waste

in glass making, we are trying to inspire innovators to focus on restructuring

the furnaces used to make glass. While the greening of the glass industry is

only just beginning, perhaps with some quick strides we'll even see

solar-powered glass making in our lifetimes. Now that's one overhaul that Ed

would surely support.

Until the glass industry goes green, here are some steps you can take to make your glass consumption more eco-friendly:

- Buy products made from recycled glass. You can follow Ed and Rachelle's example by going with recycled glass countertops or try recycled glass tiles, kitchen glassware, and jewelry.

- [b]Recycle the glass you use[/url], making sure to check your local recycling program's rules.

- Find creative ways to reuse glass bottles and save some money in the process. Old bottles

have a surprisingly wide range of uses, from the kitchen to the garden.

Hopefully,within our lives, we can see tremendous changes in this industry that help promote the safety of our environment. However, this can?t happen until the glass industry can clearly see that the change is in demand. So find ways to recycle your glass and help move our planet into a safer position, one industry at a time.

This post was inspired by Living with Ed.