soda lime

"If we really want to have an impact on the carbon footprint, we need to address soda lime silicate," says Prof Mauro.

"This one is soda lime that we've treated with some chemicals," he said, tapping at the next piece of glass.

But today, American Pyrex and Anchor Hocking dishes are made of soda lime silicate glass, which is more prone to shatter.

The element is determined by fusing with soda lime in a muffle, dissolving the residue in water and precipitating with silver nitrate.

Next the carbon dioxide is absorbed by soda lime.