Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
NEW: Commercial glass recycling coming to Birmingham
Reading time: 3 minutes
Glass Half Full (GHF), Birmingham’s only residential glass recycling collection company, is expanding its operations to include local businesses and commercial entities.
The New Orleans-based recycler began its first monthly curbside glass recycling routes in the Magic City back in March 2024. Since then, more than 200+ residents have bought monthly subscriptions to have their glass picked up in front of their residence.
According to Ricky Ostry, the Director of Sales and Partnerships for Glass Half Full, the success of the residential program has enabled the company to expand into commercial glass recycling:
“We are starting to roll out commercial contracts, a paid service where we go to bars, restaurants and hotels, to help them offset the amount of glass that they’re sending to the landfills. There’s been a lot of enthusiasm.”
Local Birmingham businesses interested in participating in the program can contact Glass Half Full by calling 504.481.4672 or email ricky@glasshalffull.co.
Where does the glass go?
If you know a business that cares about the environment, protecting coastlines and saving some money, Glass Half Full’s glass recycling program should excite you.
“With this new warehouse (in Birmingham), we’re able to offer pretty competitive pricing that is in line with what we offer in New Orleans. With the right type of business, they’ll be able to save money on their waste management bills while protecting the precious coastlines of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.”
Ricky Ostry, the Director of Sales and Partnerships for Glass Half Full
Currently, all of the glass GHF recycles is crushed into sand so it can be used for coastal restoration projects.
One of GHF’s primary reuse projects is to recycle burlap from coffee roasteries, fill it with the recycled crushed glass that becomes sand and spread it along the coast. The result? They build berm walls and plant native marsh grasses to rebuild the coastline that’s rapidly eroding.
Additionally, some of the crushed glass is recycled into new glass products, and the finest glass that is hyper absorbent can be used for hurricane sandbagging.
Birmingham glass recyclers needed
The last commercial glass recycling pickup program in Birmingham was operated by the Alabama Environmental Council in 2019, so it’s good to see glass recycling at local businesses return.
Interested in recycling your glass at home or getting your local restaurant or bar to participate in this dynamic program?
Make a difference.
Reach out to the good folks at Glass Half Full today.
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