Recycle This: Glass

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Recycling in Utah is difficult, recycling glass even more so. The national average for recycling glass is about 33%, here in Utah it's only 6%. Momentum Recycling, a Salt Lake company, is trying to change that.

Momentum Recycling is the only glass recycling plant in the state. "We're the only glass processors in the region, so we're getting glass from Montana, from Wyoming, from Idaho," explained Kate Whitbeck, Vice President Momentum Recycling.

Momentum Recycling is a family business that began in 2008. They started with mixed recyclables, but in 2012 built a facility to focus solely on glass. Now they collect about 1,000 tons of it every month. Glass is a very heavy commodity so it doesn't make sense to transport it very far.

Whitbeck said, "Recycling is one of those things that's very regional and so if you're processing a material you need to have an end market."

Because there isn't a bottle manufacturing facility in Utah this glass is turned into material that's used in fiberglass insulation, asphalt surfacing, sand blasting and water filtration systems.

In 2012, Momentum Recycling created a partnership with Salt Lake City. "Glass was probably one of the most requested items, 'why can't we recycle it in our blue curbside bin?'" explained Mitchell Davis, Salt Lake City's Sanitation and Education Coordinator.

You still can't throw glass in your blue bin, but if you're a Salt Lake City resident a $7 a month addition to your water bill means you can get a grey glass bin right at your curb. Now Salt Lake City alone is helping divert about 3 million pounds of glass per year.

"The more we divert from the landfill the longer that landfill is going to last and serve that community," explained Whitbeck.

Just because you don't have curbside collection doesn't mean you can't recycle. Momentum has 56 drop off locations along the Wasatch Front.

Whitbeck said, "If it's something you value, it's something that can be done."

For a list of glass drop off locations log on to: http://momentumrecycling.com/list-view.php

If you don't live in Salt Lake City, but would like to see glass curbside pick up in your hometown, talk to your local leaders. You can make all the difference in bringing recycling to your town.