Recycled Crushed Glass Research Articles

Effect of recycled crushed glass and recycled coarse aggregate on the properties of self-compacting concrete

This research was developed to use recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) and recycled crushed glass (RCG) to produce self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixtures. Natural coarse aggregate (NCA) was replaced by RCA from 0% to 100%, and natural fine aggregate (NFA) was replaced by RCG from 0% to 20%. Slump flow with T500 time, L-box, and V-funnel tests were done to ascertain the workability properties of SCC mixtures. The mechanical properties studied were compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strength at 28 and 56 days. Ultrasonic pulse velocities (UPV) were also measured for the SCC mixtures at 28 and 56 days. Ten shear-critical beams with different shear span-to-depth (a/d) ratios were also cast and tested under 4-point bending. Cracking load, failure load, load-midspan deflection curves, and deflection corresponding to ultimate load were observed. The recommendations of the American Concrete Institute (ACI 318–14 and ACI 318–19), Eurocode (EC2), and Japanese Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) for shear design were also evaluated on a database of 222 beams cast with SCC and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) along with the beams tested in the presented study. Results indicate that the workability and mechanical properties were reduced when the replacement level of RCA was increased. The use of RCG as a replacement for NFA enhanced the workability properties and mechanical properties at the age of 56 days. The replacement of NCA with RCA slightly reduced the shear capacity and stiffness of the RC beams. However, the shear capacity and stiffness of RC beams improved when NFA was replaced with RCG. The design provisions of ACI 318–19 yielded accurate estimates of shear capacity compared to JCSE, EC 2, and ACI 318–14.

Long term durability assessment of self-compacting concrete made with crushed recycled glass and metakaolin

Sustainable production in construction industry can only be possible through a proper management and conservation of limited natural resources such as fine aggregates. This challenge can be tackled by efficient utilization of discarded waste material such as glass in production of sustainable concrete. This paper investigates the use of crushed recycled glass (CRG) and metakaolin (MK) in development of durable self-compacting concrete (SCC). Four groups of SCC mixtures were prepared using different proportions of CRG (0–50%), while keeping MK concentration equal to 0%, 4%, 8% and 12%. Durability performance of SCC was accessed using water absorption, sorptivity, chloride ion permeability, drying shrinkage, water penetrability under pressure and alkali-silica reaction (ASR) tests. As the CRG content increased, group 4 (having 12 % MK) was most efficient in improving drying shrinkage and pressurized water penetration results; whereas Group 1 (0% MK mixtures) exhibited a minimal change. Raising CRG content in the mix resulted in decrease of water absorption and chloride ion penetration for all groups with group 4 exhibiting maximum reduction. ASR testing revealed that incorporating glass at a higher concentration (40% and 50%) resulted in excessive expansion (more than prescribed limit of 0.1%), which can be suppressed by partially substituting cement with MK. FE-SEM and TGA analysis were carried out to understand the mechanism behind these changes, which revealed that the secondary hydration products formed by addition of MK in concrete can densify the pore structure and refine CRG particle-cement paste interfacial micro-crack width (was evident from FE-SEM micrographs), thus improving the durability of concrete. Indeed, simultaneous incorporation of CRG and MK proved to be advantageous for development of green SCC.

The use of crushed recycled glass for alkali activated fly ash based geopolymer concrete and prediction of its capacity

The influence of waste glass aggregate (WGA) with fly ash in certain proportions was studied by different amounts of molarity and WGA proportion on geopolymer concrete (GPC). For this aim, the molarity values of the NaoH concentration consumed in this investigation were determined as 11, 13 and 16. At the end of the examinations, workability, setting time, compression strength (CS) test, splitting tensile (ST) tests and flexural strength (FS) tests are performed. The conclusions demonstrated that the slump values increased as the molarity increased and waste glass (WG) percentages decreased. While concerning CS, ST and FS examinations, as the proportion in the combination was increased, these test results tend to decrease correspondingly. While the proportion of molarity of NaOH proportion was altered from 11 to 13 and 13 to 16, these test results tend to increase. This examination study demonstrates that glass aggregate had also a slight adverse influence on capacity and workability. Moreover, the use of 10% glass aggregate with NaOH molarity of 16 is suggested to gain the optimum sustainable GPC considering both fresh and hardening properties as the combined influence of WGA and NaOH molarity. Furthermore, in this examination, the offered strength models are established and related to those built on several standard codes. More importantly is that an equation is derived to predict the compressive strength of the geopolymer mixture utilized in this study. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was achieved on the example parts attained from GPC examples formed with WGA.

Application of recycled crushed glass in road pavements and pipeline bedding: An integrated environmental evaluation using LCA

The study aims to conduct a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of mixed glass waste (MGW) recycling processes to quantify the environmental impacts of crushed glass as a partial substitute for virgin aggregate. Upstream washing, crushing, and sorting conducted at material recycling facilities (MRF) are the prime activities to assess whether reprocessed MGW in pavement construction is an alternate feasible solution. None of the previous studies explicitly account for the relative uncertainties and optimization of waste glass upstream processes from an environmental perspective. The study calculates environmental impacts using the LCA tool SimaPro considering design factors attributed to transportation, electricity consumption, use of chemicals, and water for reprocessing glass waste. Relative uncertainties of design variables and the national transition policy (2021−2030) from non-renewable to renewable energy sources have been validated by performing detailed Monte Carlo simulations. The correlation coefficients (r = 0.64, 0.58, and 0.49) of successive variables explain how the higher environmental gains of the glass recycling process are outweighed by diesel, energy consumption, and transportation distances. Compared to natural quarry sand, the recycled glass aggregate produced through crushing and recycling of its by-products reduces CO2eq emissions by 16.2 % and 46.7 %, respectively. The need for a washing line at the plant, in addition to crushing, results in a higher environmental impact over natural sand by 90.1 % and emphasizes the benefits of collecting waste glass through a separate bin, hence avoiding contamination. The result indicates that the benefit of lowering emissions varies significantly when considering waste glass landfilling. Moreover, this study evaluates the potential impacts on asphalt and reinforced concrete pavements (RCP) with 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % replacement of natural sand with recycled glass aggregate. The LCA emphasizes the limitations of energy-intensive waste glass reprocessing. The obtained results and uncertainty analysis based on primary MRF data and recycled product applications provide meaningful suggestions for a more fit-for-purpose waste management and natural resource conservation.

Characterisation and tribological testing of recycled crushed glass as an alternative rail sand

In the UK Network Rail Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020–2050, minimal waste and the sustainable use of materials are highlighted as core priorities. The ambition is to reuse, repurpose or redeploy all resources. In low adhesion conditions, sand particles are used to enhance traction throughout the network. However, sand is in danger of becoming scarce as many applications demand it. In this study, an alternative adhesion enhancing particle system made of recycled crushed glass is examined in terms of density, size, shape distribution, mineralogy, mechanical properties, and bulk behaviour to better understand their characteristics in comparison with the typical Great British rail sand currently in use and reported in the literature. Their effects on tribological behaviour and surface damage are also investigated using the High-Pressure Torsion test in dry, wet, and leaf-contaminated conditions. Both particle characterisation and tribological testing show promising results. Recycled glass particles provide an acceptable level of traction with a similar level of rail damage as typical rail sand. It is suggested to perform full-scale laboratory and field tests to further confirm the suitability of this material.

Utilization of crushed recycled glass and metakaolin for development of self-compacting concrete

• Crushed recycled glass and metakaolin were used for developing self-compacting concrete. • Crushed recycled glass has capability to improve the flow-ability of SCC. • The use of metakaolin offers improved strength properties at all glass replacement levels. • A relation between compressive strength, glass replacement and metakaolin content was developed. • Microstructural investigation of SCC was done through SEM, EDS and XRD analysis. Hypothetically, all the glass is recyclable, despite of which, only a small fraction of it is recovered globally. Furthermore, decomposition rate of waste glass is lowest when compared to conventional waste such as paper, rubber and plastic. So a gainful utilisation of waste glass in production of self-compacting concrete (SCC) would be fascinating. To this goal, a greener SCC incorporating crushed recycled glass (CRG) has been developed in this study. Alongside, the influence of metakaolin (MK) on fresh, strength and microstructural properties of CRG incorporated SCC was studied. To achieve this purpose, a total of 24 different SCC mixtures were prepared in which MK was used as a cement substitute; cement was partially replaced with 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% MK and CRG was used to replace fine aggregate at the level of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % by volume. Slump flow, V-funnel, l -box and U-box test relates to passing and flowing ability of SCC, were improved as the CRG content increased in the mix. However, mechanical properties were decreased with increase in CRG content. Incorporating MK in CRG incorporated SCC mixtures improved the strength properties corresponding to all the glass replacement levels. The results showed that a greener SCC can be made using crushed recycled glass as sand replacement material and metakaolin as cement substitute.

Environmental sustainability of fly ash and recycled crushed glass blends: an alternative to natural clay for masonry bricks production

Waste utilization as an alternative for masonry bricks has proven to compensate for the dwindling natural construction materials particularly clay. Currently, South African municipalities are struggling to update their effective waste management techniques. Improper waste management is one of the major constraints affecting the natural environment due to the associated environmental waste pollution. This constraint fostered the motivation to the present study, which reported on the findings obtained from the masonry bricks produced from blends of recycled crushed glass (RCG) and fly ash (α-FA) with the inclusion of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at varying percentages. The masonry bricks were produced with 5%, 10%, and 15% inclusion of OPC to the combined weight of α-FA and RCG. The produced bricks rendered significant compression strength resistance compared to the fired clay bricks that are 3.8% higher on average. However, the compressive strength of all the produced bricks in this study satisfied the South African National Standard SANS 227 Code requirements (i.e., 7 MPa) for individual load-bearing masonry brick. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed that the identified void spaces within the microstructure of the brick specimens with 5% OPC were the major cause of the low strength resulting from the incomplete pozzolanic reaction. Also, the effects of sulphate salt were significantly resisted on the surface of all the tested bricks incorporating α-FA and RCG, due to the presents of aluminosilicates compounds that triggered pozzolanic reactions within the brick’s matrix. The stiffness of the investigated bricks portrayed brittle characteristics due to the developed strength after production. This revealed the existence of a great proportionality between the dynamic modulus and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) revealed a coefficient of determination (R2) equivalent to 90% because of the percentages of RCG particles.

Evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of modified concrete with recycled crushed glass, using a proportion adjustment with the method ACI 211.1

The construction industry is one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in Colombia. However, the negative environmental situations associated with the mining of raw materials turn concrete production into one of the biggest environmental challenges. This paper explores the modification of a concrete mix whose manufacture replaces fine aggregate (Fa) with recycled crushed glass (RCG) using a particle size of<1.18 mm, obtained from window manufacturing waste. Replacements of Fa of 17 %, 20 %, 23 %, and 26 % relative to the total weight was used and the incorporation of the RCG was carried out adjusting the proportions of the ACI -American Concrete Institute- 211.1 method. The parameters in fresh state such as settlement, unit mass and air content were studied with other characteristics in the rigid state as mechanical strength (f′c), capillarity, and configuration of the cementitious matrix analyzed by SEM. The statistical analysis (ANOVA) showed a significant improvement in f′c as the RCG content increased, and intensification of pozzolanic reactivity at early ages.

Modeling transport, fate, and removal kinetics of nitrate and orthophosphate using recycled adsorbents for high and low-flow stormwater runoff treatment

Excessive nitrate and orthophosphate carried by the stormwater runoff potentially lead to eutrophication in surface water bodies. Various green infrastructures are used that commonly consider the biological treatment of nutrients from the runoff. Due to the leaching and clogging complexities in biological mechanisms, the selection of high-flow, eco-friendly, and recycled adsorbents has been advocated to promote the physiochemical treatment of nutrients as an alternative. In this study, column experiments were conducted to investigate the transport, fate, adsorption equilibria, and reaction kinetics of nitrate (NO3–N) and orthophosphate (PO4–P) onto three recycled adsorbents - recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), recycled crushed glass (RCG), rice husks (RH), and a layered media (LM), under high and low-flow conditions. The non-reactive solute transport in columns was investigated through the bromide tracer test. The HYDRUS-1D model was used to estimate adsorption coefficients and reaction kinetics of pollutants in unsaturated media columns. Our results indicated the maximum superficial pore velocity (v = 4.40 cm/s) and dispersion (α = 2.50 cm) in RCA at the low-flow condition. Overall, NO3–N removal at the exhaustion was low in all columns, ranging between 1 and 25%. Conversely, orthophosphate removal was significant (p < 0.05) in RCA (≤94%) under low flow conditions with increased reaction kinetics (kr,d = 3.45 min−1, kr,s = 0.55 min−1) and enhanced adsorption capacity at saturation (qmax = 1.87E+05–2.33E+05 mg/kg). In conclusion, the dissolved-phase reaction kinetics (kr,d) played a significant role apart from the physisorption for the satisfactory removal of orthophosphate in RCA.

Crushed recycled glass as a substrate for constructed wetland wastewater treatment: a case study of its potential to facilitate pharmaceutical removal

The use of recycled glass as a substrate for constructed wetlands was assessed through two studies. The first study examined the dissipation of atenolol, carbamazepine, and sulfamethoxazole in mesocosm-modeled wetlands using glass or limestone gravel as substrates, with or without cattails (Typha spp.). Following pseudo-first-order kinetics, atenolol dissipated the fastest from the water surface of the mesocosms (t1/2~1 day), followed by sulfamethoxazole (t1/2~14 days), and carbamazepine (t1/2~48 days), with no significant differences across treatments. Increased half-lives were observed at greater depth, likely due to light screening. A Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis diagnosed sunlight absorption rates and second-order hydroxyl-mediated indirect photolysis rates to be the main sources of uncertainty in our dissipation rate estimates, compared to our observed rates. The second study examined in situ pharmaceutical removal in tertiary pilot-scale subsurface filters made of crushed recycled glass or sand in a wastewater treatment facility in Manitoba, Canada. Glass and sand showed no significant differences for pharmaceutical removals; atenolol and metoprolol were removed below limits of detection, while carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole persisted over a retention time of 24 h. Overall, recycled glass performed similarly to traditional substrates for wetland-based wastewater treatment.

Strength and durability performance of masonry bricks produced with crushed glass and melted PET plastics

Due to the seriousness of environmental pollution as well as the high energy-demand associated with the production of construction materials. This study presents the rational approach towards exploiting the conversion of wastes to energy-efficient construction material. The current study deals with the development of waste masonry bricks produced from PET plastic waste (PPW) and recycled crushed glass (RCG). The bricks were produced through varying ratios of 20 %, 30 %, and 40 % of the dry mass of RCG. The produced waste masonry bricks (WMB) were tested for series of compressive and tensile strengths to evaluate the load-bearing capacity of the WMB under compression and tension in compliance with South African National Standard SANS 227. The bricks (WMB) were tested for durability through complete submersion in sulphuric acid solutions at different molarities of 4.60E-02 M, 3.60E-03 M, 5.20E-04 M, and 2.30E0−5 M, respectively. Further, durability tests were conducted through sodium sulphate solution wetting and drying over 8 cycles. Subsequently, after the wetting and drying cycles, the WM-bricks were tested for compressive and tensile strength, to evaluate the performance of the WMB in acidic as well as severe alkaline environments. The test results showed that the WM-bricks recorded an average of 70.15 % and 54.85 % of tensile and compressive strength increase compared to conventional clay bricks strength values. The splitting tensile strength of the WM-bricks is relatively high than that of the conventional bricks for the given compressive strength. The drying and wetting cycle in acidic solution caused a slight reduction of 12.4 % of the mass of the clay bricks, whereas no loss of mass was observed in WMBs due to hydrophobic and deformability characteristics of the RCG and scrap plastic. The relationship between the tensile and compressive strength of the WM-bricks has straight proportionality beyond the optimum strength index. The findings further demonstrated a reasonable methodological approach towards the conversion of wastes into green-efficient masonry bricks that complies with SANS 227 for load-bearing structures like retaining wall, multiple story building.

Pilot-scale, on-site investigation of crushed recycled glass as tertiary filter media for municipal lagoon wastewater treatment

ABSTRACT Glass recycling is a process that faces many obstacles, especially in the closed-loop context. Waste glass separation and transportation can become quite expensive, turning glass collection for remanufacture unfeasible. For this reason, it is important that alternative markets for waste glass are sought. This study evaluated crushed recycled glass as tertiary media in subsurface pilot-scale filters for on-site municipal wastewater treatment, using control sand media filters. Filters were operated over 128 days at a 24-h hydraulic retention time, treating secondary lagoon effluent from the rural municipality of Dunnottar, Manitoba, Canada. Crushed recycled glass filters removed 92%, 90% and 45% of the total suspended solids (TSS), ammonium nitrogen (NH4 +–N) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively. Total suspended solids were removed equally well in sand and crushed recycled glass filters (α = 0.05), whereas NH4 +–N and COD reductions were 10% and 21% greater in sand media, respectively. Both sand and crushed recycled glass filters failed to achieve phosphorus (P) discharge guidelines. This study shows that there is potential for crushed recycled glass in wastewater filtration, especially to achieve TSS, COD and NH4 +–N removal. Small communities served by waste stabilization ponds could benefit from glass media filters, as waste glass could be diverted from curbside collection and utilized locally to polish municipal lagoon effluent.

Field study on concrete footpath with recycled plastic and crushed glass as filler materials

Generation of plastics and glass wastes is rapidly increasing world-wide due to the heavy consumerism culture of modern societies. The disposal of single-use packaging products imposes a substantial toll on the environment. A large fraction of this waste ends up in landfills causing pollution in both marine and land environment. Sustainable applications of utilizing such waste material which can reduce the landfill requirement for the glass and plastic wastes acquires global attention. In this study, recycled plastic waste (RPW) and recycled crushed glass (RCG) were mixed in concrete and a field trial was conducted for concrete footpaths in the state of Victoria in Australia. Samples of the concrete mix were collected and the mechanical properties such as unconfined compressive strength, indirect tensile strength and capillary water uptake was tested in laboratory. Non-destructive field test using the Schmidt hammer was carried out to evaluate the compressive strength of various points located on the footpath and the results were compared with the standard set by local authorities. Result of this field study indicated that the concrete design mix containing 10% RPW and 10% RCG (volume percentage) meets the local council standard used in concrete footpath construction.

Laboratory performance and modelling behaviour of hot-mix asphalt with recycled crushed glass

In South Africa research is currently under way to determine the suitability of using locally available recycled crushed glass as a partial fine aggregate substitute in the production of asphalt mixes. This paper characterises the laboratory performance of a dense-graded asphalt wearing course mix consisting of 15% recycled crushed glass. The influence of selected antistripping additives on moisture susceptibility was specifically assessed as a variable in the performance evaluation of the glass-asphalt mix as follows: (a) the effect of 1% hydrated lime, (b) the effect of 0.5% liquid antistripping additive, and (c) the effect without the addition of antistripping additive. The effect of these variables on the moisture susceptibility of the glass-asphalt mix was evaluated using the tensile strength ratio parameter supported with a microscopic imaging analysis. Additionally, the stiffness and permanent deformation properties of the glass-asphalt mix that demonstrated optimum resistance to moisture damage was compared to the same mix without crushed glass. The performance properties were evaluated using the Huet-Sayegh model and a polynomial model respectively, which were used particularly to develop performance characterisation models for the glass-asphalt mix. The findings of this study revealed that an anti-stripping additive is essential to meet moisture susceptibility criteria and alleviate moisture damage in dense-graded glass-asphalt mixes. In particular, moisture susceptibility was improved using hydrated lime rather than the liquid antistripping additive. Furthermore, the selected constitutive models were able to effectively characterise the laboratory performance of both mixes, with the glass-asphalt mix demonstrating improved resistance to permanent deformation when compared with the conventional asphalt mix.

Eco-friendly recycled crushed glass for cushioning boulder impacts

A large amount of waste glass is generated every year and contributes significantly to landfills. Large-scale physical model tests were carried out to study the dynamic response of recycled crushed glass (RCG) contained in gabion baskets and its performance against successive boulder impacts at energy levels of up to 70 kJ. The cushioning performance of RCG is compared with that of more conventional cushioning materials, including rock fragments and cellular glass aggregates. Results reveal that for the first impact, RCG can provide up to 144% and 128% reduction in the transmitted wall loads and boulder impact loads, respectively, when compared with cushion layers comprising rock fragments. It follows that by adopting RCG, practitioners could potentially reduce the recommended design load for impact by a single boulder by up to three times. Furthermore, the load-diffusion angle of RCG is three times larger than that of cellular glass aggregates. The observed trend in the diffusion angle implies that the transmitted load for RCG is distributed more uniformly on the barrier wall compared to cellular glass aggregates.

Strength evaluation of utilizing recycled plastic waste and recycled crushed glass in concrete footpaths

The increasing rate of waste generation and the consequent environmental penalties of landfilling waste glass and waste plastic need global attention to pursue innovative sustainable industrial applications that can divert these wastes from landfills for useful construction activities. This study entails incorporating recycled plastic waste (RPW) and recycled crushed glass (RCG) as coarse aggregate replacement in concrete mixture and to evaluate its feasibility as concrete footpath construction. The coarse aggregates in concrete were replaced by RPW and RCG aggregates in proportions of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% was investigated. The properties of concrete evaluated in this study include uniaxial strength, tensile strength and capillary water uptake. Results from this investigation showed that incorporation of RPW and RCG in concrete can be a viable solution for the recycling of plastic waste and crushed glass in industrial applications. Although, the compressive and splitting tensile strength values of the concrete samples containing RPW and RCG aggregate were found to be reduced due to low adhesion between the recycled aggregates and the cement gel matrix as well as low aggregate crushing resistance, coarse aggregate replacement were found to be still viable up to 20% by volume for RPW and up to 30% by volume for RCG for use in footpath construction.

A review on pavement porous concrete using recycled waste materials

Pavements porous concrete is a noble structure design in the urban management development generally enabling water to be permeated within its structure. It has also capable in the same time tocater dynamic loading. During the technology development, the quality and quantity of waste materials have led to a waste disposal crisis. Using recycled materials (secondary) instead of virgin ones (primary) have reduced landfill pressure and extraction demanding. This study has reviewedthe waste materials (Recycled crushed glass (RCG), Steel slag, Steel fiber, Tires, Plastics, Recycled asphalt) used in the pavement porous concretes and report their respective mechanical, durability and permeability functions. Waste material usagein the partial cement replacement will cause the concrete production cost to be reduced; also, the concretes' mechanical features have slightly affected to eliminate the disposal waste materials defects and to use cement in Portland cement (PC) production. While the cement has been replaced by different industrial wastes, the compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength and different PC permeability mixes have depended on the waste materials' type applied in PC production.

Use of filterability index in granular filtration: effect of filter medium type, size and shape

AbstractIves' Filterability Index (FI) was employed to evaluate silica sand versus crushed recycled glass as a rapid filter media. The presence of past studies comparing these two media allows an evaluation of the applicability and utility of the FI concept as a simple and quick preliminary test for the assessment of different media to be used in water filtration. The present tests also allow an evaluation of the effect of shape on filter performance.

Assessment of the Temperature of Waterproofing Membrane When A Recycled Crushed Glass Finish Layer Is Used On Flat Roofs to Protect From Sun Radiance

The aim of this research was to determine the impact of the use of a recycled crushed glass finish coat on flat roofs to reduce the transmission of heat from sun radiance to indoor spaces in the buildings. This research forms part of previous studies carried out by LiTa on the application of cool roof products to reduce the energy required for air-conditioning inside buildings.Many flat roofs are finished with crushed stone aggregates of natural or artificial origin. The use of recycled crushed glass as a cool roof is potentially a double opportunity to reduce the environmental footprint: it is a recycled material and it may reduce air-conditioning demand. In order to evaluate the real efficiency of recycled crushed glass, this research compared the results with other technical alternatives that are generally applied in real conditions.

On the Use of Crushed Recycled Glass Instead of Silica Sand in Dual‐Media Filters

AbstractCrushed recycled glass was evaluated as an alternative to silica sand in dual‐media filters. Pilot scale inline filtration experiments were carried out using raw waters from three different water sources with turbidities between 6.0 and 14.0 NTU. Two physically identical filter columns were operated in parallel in the experiments. One filter consisted of 62.5 cm silica sand and 41.5 cm anthracite coal, whereas the other filter contained 62.5 cm crushed recycled glass plus 41.5 cm anthracite coal. The total bed depth was 104 cm for both filters. The properties of the media were as follows: Glass effective size = 0.77 mm, uniformity coefficient = 1.41. Sand effective size = 0.79 mm, uniformity coefficient = 1.33. Coal effective size = 1.45 mm, uniformity coefficient = 1.39. Experiments were repeated five times as follows: (i) Without the use of a coagulant, (ii–iii) with 5 and 10 mg/L of alum, and (iv–v) with 5 and 10 mg/L of ferric chloride. The filtration rate used was 11.5 m/h. Turbidity, particle counts, and head losses were measured and compared as functions of time. The following were observed: (i) Effluent turbidities and particle counts of the two filters were very close, i.e., essentially the same effluent quality was obtained when crushed glass was used instead of silica sand. (ii) In the majority of the tests, the filter with crushed glass generated both a smaller clean‐bed head loss and smaller clogging head losses than those of the filter containing sand. It is concluded that crushed glass may be a good alternative to silica sand in dual‐media filtration.