North America’s Leader in Glass Recycling
Illinois Recycling Conference
Recycling for a Green Economy
June 03, 2014
Photo courtesy of Glass Packaging Institute Strategic Materials Overview
Largest recycler of glass in North America Largest in glass containers Largest in fiberglass Largest in highway bead Large post industrial plastic recycler Recycle over 3,000,000 tons per year Over 40 locations Operate with latest technology…ceramic detectors, color sorters, fine grind cullet
Recycling Glass for over 100 years Glass Recycling in Illinois
SMI operates one facility that recycles glass Chicago, IL – Curbside Collected Glass, Whole Bottle (Color separated & Mixed), & Clear Plate Glass
3 Recycling Glass
Saves Natural Resources
1 Ton of Recycled Glass Saves 1.1 tons of Sand / Soda ash / & Limestone
Why Recycle Glass
Reduces Landfill Volumes Creates Jobs Plant employees, Drivers, Auxiliary growth Reduces Carbon Footprint Saves 25-30% of energy used to make new glass containers Saves $’s Helps keep container pricing lower Creation of New Products
Glass Recycling Future
Single Stream Increasing
More 3 mix
Smaller pieces
Higher processing costs
Bar/Restaurant/Commercial
Importance of Glass Quality A Tale of Two Piles… 3-Mix Glass/Curbside Deposit-Grade Bottles
7 Recycled 3-Mix Cullet
Before After
8 Difficulties in Recycling Glass
Non Recyclables
Rocks
Sharps, Syringes, & Bags/Tubing
Taconite
Garden Hoses, VHS Tapes, Chicken/Rib Bones, Bakeware, Ceramics, Yard Waste, Wood, etc, etc
Paper
Large Sheets
Shred
How to Improve Supply Continued education around the benefits of recycling Schools
Public Space / Awareness Campaigns Policy solutions to increase recycling Extended Producer Responsibility Programs • Container Deposits • Stewardship Programs – industry-funded curbside
Landfill/Disposal Bans
Expansion of Single-Stream Programs
PAYT Systems
Public Space/Event Recycling
10 How to Improve Supply Improved MRF/Glass Processor Technology Improved Separation of Materials at MRF’s
Ability to Sort “The Rough Stuff” Industry solutions to increase recycling Collaborative industry-centric programs
New Focus on untapped markets • Bar/Restaurant/On-Premise • University Recycling • Commercial Recycling • Windshields
11 Recycle Glass