“We have actually crushed and given back to the community 1.2 million pounds of glass since we launched glass recycling in April 2014; it’s quite an accomplishment,” says Tarkeysha Burton, Recycling Coordinator for the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA). “The program works because residents have embraced glass recycling and are willing to drop off their glass bottles and jars – now up to 20 to 22 tons per month - at two locations.”
The SCSWA crushes bottles and jars with an industrial glass crusher and the glass cullet is used locally by the community – mostly for landscaping. “It’s all local,” notes Burton, “It’s a beneficial use for a recycled material, and the costs to keep the program running are very low.”
One-point-two million pounds of glass is 600 tons of inert material that did not go into Corralitos Regional Landfill and use space unnecessarily.
The crushed glass cullet is offered back to our community without charge; it can be picked up at the SCSWA Recycling Center, 2855 W. Amador Avenue. The Center is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
It’s available anyone who wants it, and is used by agencies like the Doña Ana County International Jetport, for landscaping projects. A local business called Clean Blast, LLC, uses the glass sand – which must be ground into even smaller particles – for sandblasting projects in and around Las Cruces.
Glass bottles and jars (minus the bottle tops and corks) can be dropped off at the SCSWA Recycling Center and at the Recycling Yard at the Old Foothills Landfill – open 24 hours a day – at 555 S. Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
Burton notes, “We encourage businesses – especially restaurants, wineries, and bars – to recycle their glass. It not only benefits the community, but also benefits the business by lowering the monthly cost to manage solid waste.”
Glass bottles and jars are not welcome in your blue curbside recycling bin; this is a drop-off only program.
NOT RECYCLABLE
▪ No vases or ceramics
▪ No window glass or test tubes
▪ No dishes, cups or pyrex cookware
▪ No light bulbs
Green Connections is submitted by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA), managing recyclables and solid waste for residents and businesses in the City of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. You can reach the SCSWA at (575) 528-3800 or visit www.SCSWA.net