Can a Windshield Be Recycled After Replacement?

Everything Wisconsin Drivers Should Know About Windshield Recycling

When your windshield is cracked, chipped, or beyond repair, replacement is often the only option. But once the old glass is removed, what happens to it? Can a windshield actually be recycled or does it end up in a landfill?

At Affordable Auto Glass, we care about more than just safe installations, we also care about sustainability. If you’re in Lake Country, Milwaukee, Waukesha, or Jefferson County, here’s what you need to know about what happens to your old windshield and how recycling fits into the process.

What Makes Windshields Difficult to Recycle?

To begin with, windshields aren’t made from ordinary glass. They’re constructed with laminated safety glass, which consists of two layers of glass fused to a plastic layer (polyvinyl butyral or PVB) in the middle. This layered construction is crucial for protecting drivers in accidents but it also makes recycling more complicated.

Unlike bottles or windows, you can’t just toss a windshield in a regular glass bin. The lamination must be separated before the materials can be reused.

Can Windshields Actually Be Recycled?

Yes but with specialized processes. Although recycling windshields requires extra effort, the materials can be recovered. The glass and PVB layer can be separated using industrial machinery, and both components can be reused in various ways:

• Glass is often turned into fiberglass insulation, concrete aggregate, or new glass products.

• PVB plastic can be repurposed for carpet backing, paint, or even new windshields.

As a result, recycling helps reduce landfill waste and conserves raw materials making it an environmentally responsible choice.

Is Windshield Recycling Common in Wisconsin?

While some large-scale recycling centers accept windshields, recycling access varies by location. In urban areas like Milwaukee or Waukesha, it may be easier to find auto glass recycling partners. However, in more rural parts of Jefferson County or Lake Country, these facilities may not be readily available.

That said, Affordable Auto Glass is actively working with regional partners to recycle as many windshields as possible. When available, we divert old glass from the landfill and ensure it’s sent to the proper recycling facility.

What Happens to My Old Windshield?

At Affordable Auto Glass, we handle the removal and disposal of your damaged windshield for you. Whenever possible, we send removed glass to recycling partners equipped to process laminated auto glass.

However, if local recycling isn’t an option, we dispose of the windshield responsibly in accordance with state and environmental regulations.

How You Can Help

Although we take care of the recycling process for you, here’s how you can support sustainable auto glass disposal:

• Ask about recycling when scheduling your service

• Choose repair over replacement when possible, to reduce waste

• Spread awareness about windshield recycling in your community

Every step counts especially when it comes to protecting Wisconsin’s beautiful landscapes and reducing landfill buildup.

Eco-Friendly Windshield Replacement in Southeast Wisconsin

At Affordable Auto Glass, we believe in providing not only expert auto glass services but also making environmentally conscious choices wherever we can.

We proudly serve drivers in:

• Milwaukee

• Waukesha

• Lake Country

• Jefferson County…with mobile service and responsible recycling when available.

Ready to Replace Your Windshield?

Let us handle the entire process, from safe removal and installation to responsible disposal.

📞 Call 262-646-5769 today or request a free quote online and ask about windshield recycling options in your area.