# Recycled Windshield Glass Cracked Up Building Panels for Eco-Friendly Architectural Panache By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-03-18 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-windshield-glass-cracked-up-building-panels-architectural-applicat References: [secondglass.net](http://secondglass.net/index.php?page=home) Ron Sundholm, president and founder of [Second Glass](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/second-beis) in Portland, OR, got the idea for his windshield glass recycling company when he saw all the glass going into a dumpster at a shop where he was getting his own windshield replaced. These days, Sundholm gets broken windshields from local glass shops, and employs his unique process for recycling the windshields using a patent-pending cold formula. After recycling the windshields, Sundholm turns them into a variety of products, including [shower enclosures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shor-house), office walls, dividers and other items. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Eco-friendly Building Materials:** The trend towards eco-friendly building materials is an opportunity for companies like Second Glass to offer sustainable alternatives to traditional materials. - **Circular Economy:** Second Glass is contributing to the circular economy by recycling windshields and turning them into new products, highlighting the potential for other companies to do the same. - **Upcycling:** The practice of upcycling waste materials, like broken windshields, into valuable products is a growing trend that presents innovative opportunities for companies across various industries. ### Where This Applies - **Construction:** The construction industry can benefit from using eco-friendly building materials, like recycled windshield glass, in place of traditional materials to reduce waste and environmental impact. - **Manufacturing:** Manufacturing companies can explore upcycling waste materials into new products, like Second Glass does with windshields, as a way to reduce waste and offer sustainable options for consumers. - **Interior Design:** Interior design companies can incorporate upcycled materials, such as Second Glass's recycled windshield glass, into their designs for a unique and sustainable aesthetic. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Glass Vehicle Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audi-q4-etron.md) - [Eco-Friendly Glass Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lionglass.md) - [Recycled Resin Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/know-new-plastic.md) - [Sustainable Upcycled Glass Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hmm-design.md) - [Surfboard Waste Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surf-block-maui.md) - [Recycled Glass Retail Facades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bulgari-shanghai.md) - [Upcycled Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plaex-building-systems-inc.md) - [Eco-Certified Eggshell Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecoshell-llc.md) - [Recycled Plastic Decor Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plastplan-design-studio.md)