In October of 2019, Kittitas County discontinued collection of glass in their solid waste recycling program. Not to be deterred, a group of community members set to work researching and planning a way to facilitate not only collection, but genuine recycling of the glass discarded within our community. As part of the process, they formed a facebook group for concerned residents who were interested in participating in the solution, and began networking and fundraising. In January 2021 they purchased a glass crusher and got the co-op up and running.

Last week I participated in a training session to become a neighborhood glass ambassador for the newly launched Ellensburg Glass Recycling Co-op. While onsite, I learned the procedure for using the equipment secured by the co-op to enable us to turn glass into sand for community use. A lot of people have been asking questions about how this works so I thought this would be a fun opportunity to break down the process by showing the life cycle of my glass and addressing some of the frequently asked questions regarding how to utilize the co-op.

I want to stress that the first step in sustainability is always monitoring your consumption and being intentional about what you are bringing into your home. I often refer to purchasing packaged items as container shopping because thinking about how you will reuse the container is a great way to help you reduce and reuse, before recycling ever needs to enter the picture. Knowing where glass items are going is a huge step forward for our community, as we don’t know whether the items we place in our blue recycling bin are truly being recycled.

Pssst…if you haven’t already, check out Devine Wellness and Relaxation for their assortment of package free hygiene products - it’s a great way to eliminate disposable containers from your life!

As I rolled up to the cemetery in the space where the Ellensburg Glass Recycling Co-Op is being housed, I saw Suzanne Noble introducing two volunteers to the newly acquired equipment. Another volunteer joined us and we were all educated on proper safety protocol for participating as glass ambassadors. A neighborhood glass ambassador is a resident of the Ellensburg community who communicates with their friends and neighbors a method for collection of used glass containers and executes the procedure of turning the glass into pulverized sand. The procedure begins by preparing all equipment and inspecting the glass being discarded, sorting as necessary. Glass without labels is sorted into bins by color, mainly categorized as clear, brown, blue, or green. Each container receives a spritz of water before being deposited into the crusher, to aid in the process.

For our training session we crushed a table full of glass bottles with labels remaining in what amounted to nearly 160 pounds of sand. The mixed glass sand we created was hauled outside to a designated location, but the glass sorted by color is binned separately awaiting special requests from the community.

What I learned regarding sorting glass:

All glass must be clean before a glass ambassador will accept it.
Glass without labels - is appreciated and produces a higher quality sand.
Glass without labels - is sorted by color and colored sand may be specifically requested.
Glass with paper labels - will still be accepted and can be used to amend gardening soil.
Glass with plastic labels - need the labels removed prior to being accepted.
Glass bottles with plastic rings - need the ring removed prior to being accepted.
Glass bottles with metal rings - need the ring removed prior to being accepted and the rings can be recycled here.

Remember to check for metal or plastic rings before handing your clean glass off to your glass ambassador.

Not sure how to get the labels off your glass? This is the method I use for removing labels from my glass at home. It works so well it’s almost as though the labels take themselves off!

Foolproof method for removing labels from glass:

1. Place glass containers in a large pot on the stove.
2. Heat the pot of water, keeping the temperature just below boiling.
3. Add baking soda to the pot of water.
4. Allow to simmer.
5. Gently pry the labels free, using tongs.
6. Use a scouring pad to remove any excess adhesive remaining on the container.

Below are some answers to FAQ:

Where can I donate to support the Ellensburg Glass Recycling Co-op?
Funds are being collected by Ellensburg Morning Rotary here.

How do I become a glass ambassador?
Fill out this form to contact the Ellensburg Glass Recycling Co-op for information about training.

How do I recycle my glass?
Fill out this form to contact the Ellensburg Glass Recycling Co-op about being paired with a glass ambassador.

What type of glass is accepted?
Glass must be clean, free of reside, unbroken, and stripped of all metal or plastic rings, caps, etc. Additionally, glass larger than the 6” diameter of the depository can not be accepted at this time.

Is there a drop off location?
There is currently no centralized drop off location, but your glass ambassador may provide you with a location to drop off your glass.

What is the cost of glass recycling?
All of these amazing services, including glass collection, recycling, and receipt of sand are being provided as a community service, free of charge.

What is the sand used for?
Sand can be used for filling potholes, amending gardening soil, a variety of art projects, and so much more!

All photos featured on this blog are copyrighted images. © January Bear Photography, 2021