Don't Trash Glass (DTG) is a program that diverts glass containers away from landfills and into the recycling stream by working with local restaurants and bars to collect glass bottles. The collected bottles are directed into a separate collection stream – away from waste streams – to be turned into new bottles and glass products. By prioritizing glass waste recycling, the program helps conserve raw materials and reduce the environmental impact of glass waste disposal.
Through partnerships and support from local communities, the program is creating a sustainable beverage supply chain and helping to achieve a circular future for glass.
By diverting glass from the landfill and into dedicated recycling materials streams, DTG contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and supporting efficient glass manufacturing practices that prevent loss in quality.
Read the latest press release from DTG here!
Program Benefits
Benefits to participating restaurants and bars include:
- Reduced fines and penalties
- Potential to reduce long-term waste management fees
- Ease of trash collection with glass containers separated out of waste stream
- Improved worker safety from the separated glass stream
- Public & customer recognition for being part of this program
Additionally, participating businesses help promote sustainable practices by ensuring broken glass and other glass waste are properly sorted and directed to material recovery facilities. This helps to maximize the recycling of glass bottles and jars, which are 100% recyclable without any loss in quality.
How To Join
Restaurants and bars in the Chicago Area interested in participating can sign up here.
By joining, your establishment can play a key role in improving local recycling systems and supporting glass waste disposal initiatives. Your efforts will ensure that glass waste is diverted from single-stream recycling bins, which often lead to contamination, and instead directed to specialized recycling collection methods for optimal processing.
With the support of the Glass Packaging Institute and local recycling programs, DTG helps build a community-driven solution to recycle glass bottles effectively and promote sustainability. Sign up today to contribute to a greener future and become a part of a thriving, circular economy for glass!