partners in various ways to maximize buy-in and support to better assure success ,” he explains .
Participating Erie County municipalities have agreed to a sixmonth partnership , beginning in January 2021 with an option to extend an additional six months free of charge . The Prism glass recycling drop-off boxes are open to all residents and businesses to use free of charge without any residency requirements . The Harborcreek , North East , Millcreek , and West County locations are :
• Harborcreek Township Municipal Building , 5601 Buffalo Road , Harborcreek
• North East Township Municipal Building , 10300 West Main Road , North East
• Erie County Conservation District , 1927 Wager Road , Millcreek Township
• West Erie Plaza , 800 West Erie Plaza Drive , Millcreek Township
• Madeline ’ s Dining & Events , 8844 Route 18 , Cranesville
• A . F . Dobler Hose & Ladder Col , 37 Walnut Street , Girard Borough
You can ’ t miss these drop-boxes — they are a bright blue color with lime green logos , 6 feet high , 6.5 feet wide and 12 feet long , with sliding doors on both sides . The drop-boxes have cameras inside that enable Prism to see how much glass has been collected and make sure the boxes aren ’ t misused .
It ’ s vital that residents only place empty container glass in the drop-boxes for recycling — i . e ., food and beverage containers , including canning jars , candle jars or perfume and cologne bottles of any color . Other types of glass are prohibited , such as drinking glasses , light bulbs , fluorescent tubes , computer monitors , plate glass , safety glass or mirrors , which will cause failures during recycling and manufacturing . If non-recyclable glass is left in a drop-box , it could lead to the recycler rejecting the entire load of glass and sending it to a landfill — canceling the positive impact the community wants to make .
It ’ s also important for residents to prepare glass for recycling by rinsing empty containers to remove any liquid or residue and removing caps , lids , or
corks . It ’ s okay , however , to leave labels on the bottles or jars . And remember , only loose glass bottles and jars should go into the drop-boxes ; no paper or plastic bags and no cardboard boxes .
A Circular Economy There ’ s something else that Erie County residents need to know when they recycle glass bottles and jars — they ’ re putting people in the state to work . Guncheon says , “ We ’ re fortunate to have a glass processor in the region that ’ s been around for over 30 years and two glass manufacturers in Pennsylvania , all that employ Pennsylvanians .”
Those workers take the glass , a material that can be infinitely recycled , and create bottles and jars that food and beverage manufacturers and consumers need .
“ As a resident , you can be comfortable buying items in glass bottles or containers and know that glass you put in a drop-box can be back on the store shelves in as little as 30 days ,” Guncheon comments .
Of course , there ’ s a small percentage of glass produced during the recycling process that ’ s finer than cullet and can ’ t be used to make new bottles or jars .
“ That goes to another plant to be used as a blasting abrasive or in other applications ,” Bruno explains .
“ Glass is perfect for developing a truly circular economy ,” Guncheon says . “ People are very excited about the pilot , and it ’ s not just local residents . We ’ re getting calls from municipalities outside our target region to learn about our model for glass container recycling as well .”
Beyond the Pilot Program
Municipalities that wish to continue after the six-month pilot program will be able to do so free of charge for an additional six months . Beyond that , Prism will work with the County government to keep the program going . Prism is tracking the amount of glass it collects from each municipality and the county overall for reporting to the PA Department of Environmental Protection ( PA DEP ) Recycling Performance Grant program , which could fund glass recycling after the first year .
For more information , visit prismrecycling . com and sign up for Prism ’ s newsletter to stay informed about drop-off locations and when curbside and commercial pickup will be available to you . n
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