Glass Bottle Recycling at Bars Takes off in Marion, OH
In January, after months of preparation, glass bottle recycling began at bars and restaurants in the Marion, OH (population 66,000) downtown area. The initiative was the brain child of Angela Carbetta (photo left), Director of Marion County Recycling and Litter Prevention. Seeing the amount of glass bottles that were going into trash, she decided to start a recycling program.
The program, called “Glass Act,” now collects about three tons/week of mixed glass bottles and jars for recycling from nearly 40 participating bars and restaurants. “And it’s clean,” says Carbetta. Recycled glass is going to Dlubak Glass and Rumpke’s Dayton Facility to be processed and sent to fiberglass manufacturers, as well as to container glass manufacturers for new glass bottles.
To get the program started Carbetta used a $10,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention grant plus a 50% match from Ohio Galvanizing. Most of the grant funds were used for indoor collection bins—primarily slim jims—and some outdoor containers, covering these costs for participants.
The program started with about 16 participants, and continues growing. “Once a few started, others wanted to get on board,” says Carbetta. “It was like peer pressure.” Participating bars and restaurants include everything from the Applebee's chain to local sports bars and smaller restaurants. “My goal is to have every bar in Marion doing this and I think we are getting close,” says Carbetta. They are also planning to expand to surrounding villages.
Glass is being collected by Rumkpe, and Hammbones, a local hauler, and processed through Sims Brothers Recycling. With the grant funds picking up the tab for collection containers, including signage, as well as training employees, for most participating businesses there is no increase in collection fees to add glass recycling. “Costs remain flat for most business,” says Carbetta, who worked with haulers to ensure the change was at least net neutral.
The glass recycling has also improved cardboard recycling, both in terms of encouraging more to recycling OCC and increasing volume. “We’ve pretty much made their trash containers obsolete so we are adjusting containers and sizes for materials. It’s amazing, they really don’t have much trash left,” says Carbetta.
And the program is making the news. Ohio Galvanizing provided the services of Badertscher Communications, a local PR firm, to help develop a program logo and marketing materials. The result is a brochure, local articles, newspaper, outdoor and digital advertising, and regular radio interviews. According to Carbetta, “Public response has been really fabulous. They are happy to have glass get recycled, and the bars are bragging to their customers.” More
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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.
