Missouri company steps up to recycle glass in Sioux City

SIOUX CITY | A Kansas City, Mo., firm is interested in taking over glass recycling for Sioux City.

Nancy Utter, director of business development for Ripple Glass Co., is scheduled to discuss the issue with the City Council on Monday.

The city has been exploring options since contractor Gill Hauling Inc., which picks up recyclables from curbside bins, raised concerns about the decreasing value of glass. The City Council last month gave first-round approval to ending glass recycling. Gill has offered the service since 2006.

Two additional votes are required. The next is planned Aug. 12.

All other recyclables would be accepted. Property owners are charged $1.75 a month for recycling.

City officials have said they want people to cash in bottles, which have a deposit, or take items to the Citizens Convenience Center, at 5800 28th St.

Derek Carmona, who supervises the city recycling program, said Ripple officials contacted them after hearing about the glass issue. Their plan is to install several drop-off sites for glass recycling.

He said Ripple already picks up glass in Le Mars, Iowa, so company trucks are driving by Sioux City. The company recycles glass into fiberglass insulation and beer bottles.

Ripple was founded in 2009 by three Boulevard Brewing Co. executives to handle bottle recycling in Kansas City.

The council will only discuss the issue at the meeting, planned at 4 p.m. Monday at City Hall, at 405 Sixth St.

Separately Monday, the council is scheduled to approve the final plat design of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, at Third and Water streets.