Glass Recycling Coalition launches new tool

The Glass Recycling Coalition (GRC), Ann Arbor, Michigan, has announced the release of an online decision-making tool to help recycling program managers evaluate or improve their glass recycling programs. Developed with the help of GRC members and guidance from the GRC’s Government Advisory Council, the coalition says the decision-making tool is equipped with best practices, interactive data, contract considerations and more resources.

“We’ve heard from municipalities that feel they don’t have options for glass recycling in their
communities,” says Katie Wallace of New Belgium Brewing and GRC leadership. “To address these
concerns, this tool provides resources and examples of communities that are making glass recycling
work, through collection, processing and access to end markets.”

The decision-making tool walks users through a series of questions to assess the state of glass
recycling in their communities. After each question, a link is provided to a related resource or tool,
including:

• collection best practices;
• collection versus recovered calculators;
• environmental benefits;
• case studies;
• glass cleaning options;
• funding resources;
• interactive map with glass processing, end markets and drop-off locations;
• additional end market possibilities;
• contract consideration information; and
• policy map.

The Southeast Recycling Development Council (SERDC) and the GRC will co-host a free webinar, Tools to Make Glass Recycling Work, Thursday, June 22, at 2 p.m. EST. The webinar will walk users through the 
new GRC decision-making tool. The Closed Loop Foundation also will present results from its recent
glass study and discuss opportunities for investment in glass infrastructure. SERDC will highlight two
tools to assist local governments in improving their materials management operations. Register for the Tools to Make Glass Recycling Work Webinar at www.glassrecycles.org. For more information about the GRC, email info@glassrecycles.org.

The GRC brings together a diverse membership of more than 35 companies and organizations representing glass container and fiberglass manufacturers, brands that use glass to showcase their products, haulers, processors, material recovery facilities and end markets to make glass recycling work. Established in April 2016, GRC is a noncompetitive coalition of U.S. value chain members involved in glass recycling and dedicated to supporting the most accessible and viable glass recovery and recycling options for consumers. The coalition says it encourages financially sustainable mechanisms that produce quality cullet and strengthen glass markets.