CRI Study Shows Cost Impacts of Single-Stream Collection
A study commissioned by the Container Recycling Institute, and conducted by CM Consulting, “Understanding economic and environmental impact of single-stream collection systems,” highlights the negative downstream impacts of contaminated feedstock, a result of mixing recyclable materials through single-stream collection. This is especially true for glass containers.
According to CRI Executive Director Susan Collins, "Once the materials are mixed together in a single-stream recycling system, there will be cross-contamination of materials and significant glass breakage. Those cross-contamination and breakage issues then result in increased costs for the secondary processors."
According to the report, on average, 40% of glass from single-stream collection winds up in landfills, while 20% is small broken glass used for low-end applications. Only 40% is recycled into new glass containers and fiberglass. In contrast, mixed glass from dual-stream systems yields an average of 90% being recycled into containers and fiberglass, with 10% glass fines used for low-end applications, and nearly nothing sent to landfill. In container-deposit systems, color-sorted material results in 98% being recycled and only 2% marketed as glass fines. Get the report
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About the institute
The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. GPI member companies manufacture glass containers for food, beverage, cosmetic and many other products. GPI also has associate members that represent a broad range of suppliers and closure manufacturers.
