6.9 Materials: Using and Reusing
backGlass Gloria, A Long and Elegant Life
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- | Gloria is bought by a family and becomes their favorite drinking glass. For years, she’s carefully washed and reused, holding everything from water to juice. She takes pride in her durability and timeless elegance.
“Every sip brought joy. I am cherished and cared for. What a glorious life!” But one fateful day, Gloria slips and shatters on the kitchen floor. She’s swept up with care, but instead of being sent to a recycling plant, she’s discarded with the trash. Recycling glass, after all, can be expensive, and not every community has the facilities. |
| Gloria ends up on the beach after years of tides and waves breaking her shards into smooth, frosted sea glass.
“I didn’t get a second chance as a new glass, but the ocean gave me a new form. Now I’m a small gift of beauty for those who walk the shore.” She glistens in the sun, admired by beachcombers who pocket her as a keepsake. “Recycling is a wonderful thing, but it doesn’t happen often enough. Still, I’m grateful that glass doesn’t pollute the world like plastic. Sometimes, nature finds a way to make something beautiful.” |
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