Glass Recycling 101
Why Recycle Glass
Glass can be recycled endlessly with no loss in quality or purity. Glass containers returned for recycling help to make new glass bottles and jars (which can include over 95% recycled content), as well as fiberglass. Recycling glass has big environmental payoffs as well—it saves raw materials, lessens demand for energy, and cuts CO2 emissions.
Resources: Click to Expand
How to Recycle Glass
Follow these simple steps to ensure recyclable glass bottles and jars can become new glass bottles, jars or fiberglass.
Recycle glass containers only
Keep it clean: no ceramic cups and plates, drinking glasses, mirrors/window glass, ovenware, or lightbulbs
Enjoy products in 100% recyclable glass bottles and jars
Whether you use a cart, bin, or drop-off station to recycle, check with your municipality or hauler to determine how glass is recycled in your community. If glass recycling is not available, contact us.
Where to Recycle Glass
With over 350 materials and 100,000+ listings, Earth911 maintains one of North America's most extensive recycling databases. To get started, enter "glass" along with your zip code and click search. *Note this is a third-party site not managed by GRC. Check with your local hauler or municipality for the most accurate results.
The Glass Recycling Process
Video credit: NPR Planet Money