Glass Recycling Coalition (GRC) Announces results of 2017 Glass Recycling Survey Results

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 29, 2017) - Ninety-six percent of residents and consumers expect to be able to recycle glass, according a survey conducted by Glass Recycling Coalition's (GRC) of more than 250 public sector representatives, glass industry professionals, and material recovery facility (MRF) representatives. The glass recycling survey results, released today at the Resource Recycling Conference in Minneapolis, found that the top priorities among public sector respondents for recycling programs are fulfilling resident satisfaction, meeting sustainability goals, and reducing contamination.

"The GRC strives to better understand challenges and attitudes about glass recycling from those in the industry and local and state governments," said Lynn Bragg, President, Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) and founding GRC member. "This survey will help GRC support local needs and address concerns to grow glass recycling," said Bragg.

Thirty-one MRF representatives were asked to list the top end-markets for recycled glass: glass containers (cullet), fiberglass, and road base aggregate led the list. According to MRFs, the top three factors in selecting an end market for glass are transportation costs, prices paid per ton and lowest cost per ton, and highest and best end use. Of the respondents with glass recycling concerns, lack of end markets, contamination, and transportation barriers are identified as challenges to glass recycling. Financial resources, such as publicprivate partnerships and grants, could be beneficial in addressing these concerns. More than 50 percent of respondents believe costs associated with recycling should be shared among manufacturers, haulers, the public sector, MRFs and end markets.

GRC plans to conduct this survey annually to measure industry changes in attitudes, track progress in improving glass recycling, and guide the direction of the GRC.
Learn more about the Glass Recycling Coalition and download the full survey report at www.glassrecycles.org.

The Glass Recycling Coalition (GRC) brings together a diverse membership of nearly 40 companies and organizations representing glass container and fiberglass manufacturers, brands that use glass to showcase their products, haulers, processors, material recovery facilities and end-markets to make glass recycling work.
Established in April 2016, GRC is a non-competitive coalition of U.S. value chain members involved in glass recycling and dedicated to supporting the most accessible and viable glass recovery and recycling options for consumers. The coalition encourages financially sustainable mechanisms that produce quality cullet and strengthen glass markets.