More than three years ago, the city of Tacoma ended curbside-glass recycling in favor of satellite drop-off stations.
The city recently announced another, albeit temporary, change to its glass-recycling regimen: All collected glass is going to the landfill.
On Sept. 24, Tacoma Environmental Services wrote on Facebook that this switch stems from “unexpected changes in the international glass market.” As such, the city’s glass-recycling vendor isn’t accepting glass.
“While we explore long-term solutions, all collected glass will be sent to the landfill,” the Sept. 24 post reads. “Please continue to use our glass drop-off sites, Recycle Center, and multifamily and commercial recycling containers.”
Some Facebook users expressed frustration at the development and urged the city to “figure it out.” Others inquired about the market changes, with one commenter reminding folks that the city collects glass but doesn’t do the recycling itself.
Why is glass going to the landfill?
City spokesperson Maria Lee told The News Tribune via email that “[o]ur glass recycling processor, Strategic Materials Inc., informed us that it cannot process recycled glass at this time due to low demand.”
The News Tribune reached out to Strategic Materials Inc. to learn more.
SMI has 43 glass-recycling locations throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada, a representative told the newspaper. It processes the glass it receives — crushing and sorting it — before sending it down the line for reincarnation. The material can be used anew in items such as glass bottles or fiberglass home insulation.
SMI works with a glass-manufacturing facility in Seattle called Ardagh. That Ardagh location recently laid off 244 workers and indefinitely curtailed production, effective this July, according to The Seattle Times.
Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America told The News Tribune via email that it has faced “demand challenges for its U.S.-produced glass.” The representative cited market conditions and pressure from low-cost imports from Chile, China and Mexico.
“At this time, Ardagh’s remaining U.S. production network will allow us to continue to provide our existing and prospective wine customers with high quality American-made glass packaging,” the statement continued. “However, if the market conditions change, Ardagh will consider restarting production at its Seattle facility.”
Strategic Materials Inc. hopes to resume working with Tacoma in the near future, the SMI representative said. The timeline remains unclear.
Tacoma isn’t the only place in Western Washington dealing with recycling changes. Skagit County recently advised residents to stop bringing their glass recycling to the county’s transfer stations, according to KING 5.
Solutions to the glass hiccup
Some social-media users have floated suggestions in the wake of Tacoma Environmental Services’ announcement. The Tacoma Nature Center , 1919 S. Tyler St., wrote on Facebook that people could try to save glass in long-term storage in case the issue gets sorted out.
University Place Refuse and Recycling noted in a post that it isn’t sending glass to the landfill.
“While glass is an inert substance (it is sand, so it will basically turn to sand again without emitting any gasses or harmful material) and landfilling does no harm to the environment, it also takes up space that could be used for other trash (and cost a LOT of $ to landfill too),” that Sept. 26 Facebook post reads.
Replying to a commenter, University Place Refuse and Recycling wrote that it has also worked with SMI. For now the center is hauling its glass to a recycling facility in Portland.
Tacoma residents can bring their glass, free of charge, to its three University Place drop-off locations, according to the post:
Cirque Park, 7401 Cirque Dr. W.
The auxiliary parking lot at Curtis High School, 8425 40th St. W. (above the softball and baseball fields on 40th Street).
The center’s Rochester Street facility, 2815 Rochester St. W. (behind Cheers Bar & Grill).
The News Tribune asked the city of Tacoma whether it has considered sending its glass to the Portland recycling facility, too. Lee replied via email that the city is committed to finding the best, environmentally friendly solution.
Tacoma is looking into possibilities, including taking the glass long distance to Portland, she said. It has also considered “local reuse of glass in concrete aggregate.”
The city will analyze each option’s environmental and fiscal implications to make a responsible decision, she said.
“This includes evaluating transportation emissions associated with long-hauling against the benefits of recycling,” Lee said. “We want to ensure that our chosen path minimizes environmental impact and truly benefits our community in the long term.”
Residents can also leave glass at Pierce County’s drop-off sites.
“Glass continues to be recycled within the Pierce County solid waste system, which is separate from the City of Tacoma,” a Pierce County spokesperson told The News Tribune via email. “Our recycling partners at Murrey’s, LeMay and LRI have found an alternative regional glass processor south of Pierce County so glass collected in our system is still being recycled.”
To learn about the county’s glass-collection locations, visit piercecountywa.gov/1539/glass-drop-off .
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with comment from Pierce County and Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America.
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