glass panels have a high environmental impact and should no longer be built , according to some critics . glass has unlimited access to such buildings but no way to operate , leading to greater use of energy - intensive air conditioning , which further contributes to temperature dependence . The construction of glass itself also requires high levels of energy . Glazing and layering facades can reduce the need for cooling but these need to be replaced every 30 to 40 years , adding to the buildings ’ carbon footprints . Also , the glass panels are stuck together with plastic , making them hard to recycle .
Glass skycrapers have a high environmental impact and should no longer be built, according to some critics. Sunlight has unlimited access to such buildings but no way to escape, leading to greater use of energy-intensive air conditioning, which further contributes to temperature increases. The construction of glass itself also requires high levels of energy. Glazing and layering facades can reduce the need for cooling but these need to be replaced every 30 to 40 years, adding to the buildings’ carbon footprints. Also, the glass panels are stuck together with plastic, making them hard to recycle.