Recycled glass brings fiberglass insulation donation

Springfield is now sending glass to Ripple Glass in Kansas City. The company rewarded the city's recycling efforts with fiberglass insulation.

June 21, 2013|by Linda Russell, lrussell@ky3.com and photojournalist Robin Yancey

Share on emailShare on printShare on redditMore Sharing

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--   Instead of ending up in the landfill, it's going to help some Springfield residents save money and energy.  Springfield's glass recycling program is now bringing a valuable return.

The City of Springfield has recycled glass since the early 90s, but at times, it's been expensive and inconvenient to get it recycled.  Now, their persistence in keeping the program going is paying off.

By not throwing glass in the trash, Springfield residents are helping the earth, but now, theye're also helping the community. 

Barbara Lucks, City of Springfield Sustainability Officer says, "They heard there was this stubborn little glass program down in Springfield, Missouri that hadn't given up."  Ripple Glass in Kansas City has started collecting Springfield's glass.  "Transported and processed at no charge to the city, which is a very big benefit," Lucks says.

The company started using bottles and jars rather than sheets of glass to make fiberglass insulation.

"Not only as a product, but as an energy saving product, so it just couldn't be very much better," says Lucks.

All the glass the city collects comes from the city recycling centers, surrounding communities, waste hauling companies and downtown businesses.  Once the pile grows to about 25 tons, Ripple will send a truck to pick it up.

Now, Ripple glass is rewarding Springfield for recycling more than 1,100 tons of glass last year in the form of pink fiberglass insulation.  "Of course Habitat for Humanity came to mind immediately," says Lucks.

"Of course our construction guys just jumped all over it, and we're just tickled and very blessed to have this," says Larry Peterson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in Springfield.

The non-profit is receiving enough insulation for the attics of eight homes.  "It's going to save our homeowners money as we build their homes," says Peterson.  "We don't give away homes.  We have partner families.  They work very hard to earn their homes.  They pay a mortgage; zero interest on the mortgage, so that's where we really help them out," says Peterson.

It's should give those who recycle their glass a warm and fuzzy feeling.  "So, when you've got bottles and jars, and you think, well, I'm just going to throw them out, really recycling- the way they like to put it is- your bottle's in a better place when you recycle," Peterson says.