Had to replace a few old windows in my 70s-era house and now I’ve got these big, awkward panes of glass sitting in the garage. Didn’t realize how tricky it’d be to get rid of them—local dump won’t take ‘em unless they’re wrapped, and I’m paranoid about breaking them and making a mess. Anyone else run into this? What did you end up doing with your old glass?
That’s a familiar headache. I remember after a job on an old ranch house, the owners had these massive single-pane windows stacked in the shed for months. They tried wrapping them in cardboard and duct tape for the landfill, but it was a pain and honestly, a couple still cracked just carrying them out. One neighbor ended up taking a few for a cold frame in his garden, but most of the time, unless you’re lucky enough to find someone who wants them for a project, it’s just awkward disposal rules and hoping you don’t end up with shards everywhere. I’ve always wondered why there isn’t a better recycling option for this stuff...
I ran into the same problem after swapping out the old windows in my ‘60s split-level. First, I tried listing the panes online for free—figured someone might want them for a greenhouse or art project. Maybe two got picked up. The rest just sat in my garage, collecting dust, because local recycling wouldn’t take them and the landfill wanted them wrapped up like you said. In the end, I double-bagged each one in contractor bags, which helped with the shards, but it’s definitely not a perfect solution. Feels like there should be a better way.
The rest just sat in my garage, collecting dust, because local recycling wouldn’t take them and the landfill wanted them wrapped up like you said.
That’s the story of my garage too. I swear, old window panes have a way of multiplying when you’re not looking. I tried the “free on the curb” trick and only got a couple bites—one guy wanted them for some kind of chicken coop, but the rest just sat there like sad relics.
I get why the landfill wants them wrapped, but it feels like overkill for a few sheets of glass. And recycling? Forget it. I called three places and got the same “nope, not here” answer every time. Makes you wonder if anyone’s actually recycling glass anymore, or if it’s just a rumor.
I ended up using a few as makeshift cold frames in the garden, but honestly, how many cold frames does one person need? The rest are still leaning against the wall, collecting spiderwebs. There’s gotta be a better system for this stuff, but I haven’t found it yet. Maybe someday someone will invent a magic glass recycler... until then, it’s just creative storage solutions and contractor bags, I guess.
It’s wild how those panes just linger. I tried giving a few away on Craigslist for “DIY greenhouse projects” and got one taker, but the rest are still there, stacked behind my mower. Wrapping them for disposal felt like wrapping up a bad gift—awkward and nerve-wracking. I’ve wondered if there’s some niche artist who’d want them, but so far, no luck. At this rate I’ll have enough to open my own glass shop... or at least build a fortress for the neighborhood cats.
That’s funny, I’ve battled the same stack of panes since my last reno. But have you tried reaching out to local makerspaces or woodworking clubs? I had way more luck with those than Craigslist—turns out, some folks do stained glass as a hobby and love the old stuff, even if it’s not perfect. Also, just curious—are you sure your city won’t take them as construction waste? Where I am, the dump had a special spot for glass, no awkward wrapping required. Just wondering if that might save you a headache.
- Totally agree on makerspaces being a solid option—folks there are often hunting for odd materials.
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—Wish it was that easy here. Our facility insists on glass being wrapped and labeled, which is a pain with big panes. Maybe I’m just unlucky with my local rules.“the dump had a special spot for glass, no awkward wrapping required”
- One thing I’ve noticed: if you post on neighborhood apps with measurements, sometimes DIYers or landlords swoop in for replacements.
- Quick tip: if you’re storing them for a bit, keep cardboard between each pane to avoid scratches—learned that the hard way after my last reno.
- Definitely with you on the makerspace idea—some of those folks are downright thrilled to take oddball panes off your hands.
- The glass disposal rules are all over the place. Where I am, they want each pane taped up and labeled “GLASS” in marker. Not fun if you’ve got a stack from a whole house job.
- Posting exact sizes on neighborhood apps is clutch. I’ve had landlords pick up old double-hungs for rental repairs, and one artist who wanted them for a greenhouse project... never would’ve guessed.
- Cardboard between panes is key, but if you’re moving them around a lot, I’d say go with that thin foam sheeting (like what comes with appliances). It’s saved me from more than one scratched low-e coating.
- One thing people forget: check with local salvage yards. Some pay a few bucks for undamaged glass, especially older stuff with wavy imperfections.
Honestly, every area seems to have its own quirks. Sometimes I wish there was just one simple answer for leftover glass, but at least there are options if you poke around.
That bit about salvage yards rings true—
I learned that the hard way after my last window swap. Had a stack of old sashes from the ‘40s, thought nobody would want ‘em. Turns out, the local architectural salvage shop practically fought me for the ones with that rippled look. Didn’t make a fortune, but it covered a couple pizzas.Some pay a few bucks for undamaged glass, especially older stuff with wavy imperfections.
On the packing front, I used to just put cardboard between panes, but after scratching a couple low-e units, I switched to foam sheets like you mentioned. If you’re moving them more than once, it’s worth the little extra effort.
Disposal rules here are a headache too—city wants everything bundled and labeled, but if you call ahead, the dump guys sometimes let you bring it in loose as long as you’re careful. Not sure why it’s so inconsistent, but it pays to ask around before hauling a load.
Funny how what seems like junk to one person is gold to another.
I had no idea those old wavy panes were worth anything either—almost tossed mine out after the reno. Ended up listing them online and a guy picked them up for a project. Didn’t get rich, but it beat paying disposal fees. City rules here are a mess too, changes every time I call. Foam sheets for packing is smart... I scratched a couple with cardboard and kicked myself after.