Akron resumes glass recycling with collection bins placed around city - Akron Beacon Journal

Akron resumes glass recycling with collection bins placed around city

Glass recycling returns in Akron; here's where to take your bottles and jars
Anthony Thompson

The city of Akron launched its glass drop-off recycling program Thursday, with residents now able to recycle certain glass items at five locations throughout the city. Here's what you need to know about this pilot program:

Where are the bins located?

Emily Collins, strategic advisor to Mayor Dan Horrigan, said the city's goal is to have 11 of these bins, including one placed in each of its 10 wards.

"The locations we chose are good locations to bridge each ward, and we can move these bins around as well — so if we discover during the pilot that this is not the best location, then we can make adjustments."

The five bins and their chief surrounding wards :

- Diamond Crystal Ballfield, 2175 Edwin Ave. Wards 3, 5, 7 and 9.
- Akron's Dog Park 499 Memorial Parkway. Wards 1, 2, 5 and 8.
- Behind Spaghetti Warehouse at 510 S. Main St. Wards 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
- Eastwood Ballfields parking lot at Goodyear Heights Metro Park, 1950 Eastwood Ave. Wards 2, 5, 6 and 10.
- Good Park Golf Course, 530 Nome Ave. Wards 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9.

What happened to Akron's curbside glass recycling?

Akron's curbside collection program had welcomed glass recyclables in the green bins for years until November 2018, when the city announced that its materials recovery partners were no longer accepting glass because it was no longer cost-effective for them to do so. The city advised that it was halting glass recycling until circumstances changed.

How does the glass recycling drop-off process work?

- Gather your glass jars and bottles — no need to remove labels
- Wash them out and remove any caps or corks
- Find the nearest city of Akron bin near you using this map.
- Drop recycling off in bins

What glass items are accepted?

Glass food jars and beverage/wine/beer/spirits bottles will be accepted for recycling.

In feedback collected by the city, residents' concerned about these everyday purchases going to waste in landfills urged the city to explore a more sustainable path.

"We know how important recycling is to our residents, and we're proud to offer this solution for glass recycling," Horrigan said Thursday. "Glass is infinitely recyclable if we can capture it without contaminating the supply with other recyclables and waste, which is exactly what this program will do."

What glass items are prohibited?

These items will not be accepted at the glass recycling drop-offs: Windows, mirrors, light bulbs, solar panels, heat-resistant glass (such as Pyrex bakeware), drinking glassware, computer/TV screens, ceramics and vases.

What happens to the glass once the bins are full?

The city has partnered with Ohio-based glass manufacturer company, O-I for this project. CAP Glass is in charge of transporting and processing the collected glass, before it gets sent to O-I, where it is turned into new glass bottles and jars.

"We are excited to launch this partnership with the city of Akron to create a more circular economy for glass packaging," Elizabeth Hupp, O-I's global social engagement leader said. "The glass recycled in Akron will be recycled at our Zanesville facility, where it can become new sustainable glass packaging in as little as 30 days."

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter, @athompsonABJ