Can pottery be recycled?

Every day we are using many types of cups, plates and ceramic products, which can be found in every part of our house. Like many other things, we generally don’t spend some time thinking about how to make ceramic and kitchen tiles. We use little time to think about the environment and sustainability.

But do you know about recycling ceramics and the effects of these environmental materials? We can help save the planet and not contribute to landfill by throwing mugs or broken pots. 

What is ceramic made of?

There are many different ceramics available in the market, with the three common types: Earthenware, Porcelain, and Stoneware.

Ceramic can be used to produce ceramic types, kitchen utensils, toilet accessories and surfaces. For this is how these things are ready, the process will be somewhat simple. Clay is the main ingredient used to make all kinds of porcelain dishes. Of course, clay is a natural material extracted from the ground and is known as the oldest of natural ceramics. It is used with ingredients from earth, powder and water to create appliances.

After forming the required body, the clay is hardened in an industrial oven.

The final product is hard but brittle, resistant to oxidation, durable and heat resistant. All of this makes porcelain a great plate for a hearty dinner. 

Can ceramics be recycled?

All ceramic pieces break and get damaged over time. And when the first few cracks appear, it doesn't take long and eventually something breaks that cannot be fixed.

When you stop using the ceramic or glass plate, remove it as quickly and gently as possible. Removing unwanted ceramics can be a hassle when dealing with broken items.

Although ceramics are made from natural materials and are biodegradable, they can take thousands of years to decompose. And throwing it in the trash is almost a sacrifice for a nature lover!

So can ceramics be recycled? Unfortunately, the answer is as complicated as a yes or a no.

Ceramic is fundamentally a completely recyclable material, which is similar to other household products. However, ceramic is also very resistant to high temperatures. Clay, pottery, and stone products are nearly impossible to melt down in a standard recycling facility. This means that pottery cannot be recycled at home.

According to Waste Management, many of the ceramics such as coffee mugs will weaken the recycled product. Due to this, ceramics are usually not widely accepted for recycling. During recycling, porcelain is crushed for use in the drainage systems and for driveways. They can also be used as gravel after processing.

If your recycling company doesn't allow ceramic, it is still not necessary for your ceramics to go to the landfill. Ceramics are almost always accepted in thrift shops. But don't forget to inform the shopkeeper that your ceramic products are damaged or chipped. If the staff throws them away after you leave, you're wasting your time as well.

How can ceramic tiles and tiles be recycled?

So how can we efficiently recycle ceramics, or at least breathe new life into them? If you are dealing with broken pottery or something that is not in good condition, you can contact your local waste recycling center, ask about their ceramic recycling policy and arrange for a pick-up.

Keep in mind that depending on your location, your nearest household waste disposal facility may be very far away, so it pays to wait until you collect enough unused pottery before you travel!

Ceramics that are in good condition, on the other hand, can simply be donated to a charity shop or given to a new owner through free sharing on sites.

Donation is at least a more sustainable option than recycling, because ceramic recycling involves many energy-intensive processes. When it comes to recycling tiles and thick ceramic fixtures, such as toilets and sinks, the best thing to do is turn to commercial recycling facilities - even so, they would like to remove cracks from your hands!

All small chips can act as a small sign for a vegetable pot, but if your plate is broken, you can add sharp items under garden pots or flower beds.

Is ceramics durable?

Acquired in any amount of surface, ceramics as a durable material. Ceramics are extremely durable, safe for food and are made of biodegradable materials, which are abundant in nature.

What's more, we have the ability to reward and protect our best ceramic items as long as they last. Top pottery can be expensive and fragile, so it is usually safely stored like an ace in the arm you wear to impress your guests. 

The downside of ceramics is that a material that is not easily recyclable and can take up to a million years to be damaged in a landfill cannot be considered durable.In addition to being recyclable and biodegradable, ceramics are also a problem in their production. The ovens used to dry the garment cell consume a lot of energy because they have to reach temperatures of thousands of degrees.

To make the finished product, they need ceramic objects and glasses to be able to color and decorate. The glazing process involves adding a layer of glass (such as glass) to the product, which is what makes natural pollution difficult.

Yeast and mold cannot penetrate glass ceramics as in raw soil, so ceramics decompose longer than plastic bags or cans.

Is ceramic ultimately an environmentally friendly product?

However, this does not mean that ceramics cannot be considered an environmentally friendly material. Ceramics ultimately have a negative impact on our environment, but like glass, stainless steel and many other everyday materials. 

When cooking at extremely high temperatures, ceramics require less heat and energy than glass for the same sales volume and are also more durable than plastic.

If you value durability more than other factors, you will find that ceramics are excellent in durability. Ceramic cups that are brittle are even more durable than glass cups when faced with sudden changes in temperature. They are also far from useful because we throw away plastic and paper plates or cups at unsustainable prices.