Prism Glass Recycling
ORGANIZATION
Glass was removed from single-source collection streams in Erie County, Pennsylvania, starting in 2016, sending thousands of tons of recyclable container glass to area landfills. In 2021, Prism Glass Recycling, an Erie Management Group company, launched a free-of-charge public-private partnership glass recycling drop-off program with support from Erie County Recycling, CAP Glass, ProWaste Services, area municipalities, and GRF funding. The program collected over 283 tons of glass across 19 sites by year-end.
PROJECT
In May 2021, Prism launched a commercial collection program for area bars, restaurants, and social clubs as a next step which collected 52 tons of glass from 16 customers by year-end.
Some commercial customers were not willing to risk the additional cost for an extra service and were skeptical of realizing any waste disposal cost savings. Prism approached O-I about sponsoring a pilot as a way to increase container glass recycling participation. The campaign sponsors commercial collection services for 10 high-volume Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) licensed establishments (bars/restaurants/social clubs) and 10 high-volume PLCB licensed beverage distributors.
With the support of an $18,000 GRF grant, Prism supports the logistics of delivery of glass recycling dumpsters and contract hauling services to the participating businesses free of charge for one year.
GLASS RECYCLING IMPACT
So far, in the first three months of the program, more than 40 tons of glass have been collected, and Prism anticipates the campaign will collect 250-350 tons of recyclable glass containers in one year. The goal is for owners/managers of the participating businesses to realize cost savings in waste hauling fees that exceed the monthly fee for glass collection services and elect to continue with the paid service.
“Results from the initial public-drop off program indicate that residents and businesses alike value glass recycling,” said Laura Guncheon, vice president EMG project management office at Prism. “Our hope is that the participating businesses will see the benefit of using and recycling glass containers, while continuing to divert glass from landfills into the Pennsylvania glass manufacturing circular economy.”
MORE INFORMATION
Prism provides several services including residential drop-off glass recycling, commercial glass recycling, window glass recycling, and glass recycling at events.
Website: https://www.prismrecycling.com/
Email: info@prismrecycling.com
Telephone: 814-528-9033