Residents of the Oakmont and Verona region can drop off glass bottles, jars and jugs at a permanent recycling dumpster in Riverside Park thanks to a grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).
Residents can deposit all colors of glass bottles, jars and jugs in a bin located in Riverside Park’s Second Avenue parking lot as part of a region-wide glass recycling network. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place March 17.
“Glass is still one of the most recyclable materials we generate in our homes, and the market for glass recycling is very strong,” according to PRC Deputy Director Sarah Alessio Shea. “When you take the time to use glass-only drop-off sites, 98 to 100% of the glass collected is recycled into new bottles and jars, while only an average of 60 to 70% of glass collected in curbside programs is able to be captured for recycling.”
The blue recycling dumpster is located in Riverside Park’s Second Street parking lot located between 2nd Street and Beech Street in Oakmont and is available for self-serve drop off daily between dawn and dusk. Individuals can deposit glass bottles, jars and jugs of all colors (no sorting required). Containers should be empty and rinsed, with lids and labels still on. Bags and boxes used to deliver glass must be discarded off site.
The Glass Recycling Collaborative of Southwestern PA, a partnership between municipalities in Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), provides reliable, uninterrupted glass recycling access. This permanent recycling site in Riverside Park is sponsored by the Borough of Oakmont and the Borough of Verona and is made possible through a PA DEP recycling grant held by Dormont Borough. Program partners are CAP Glass and Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling.
“Oakmont Borough Council and the residents of Oakmont have been asking for a permanent glass recycling dumpster for quite a while,” explains Oakmont Assistant Borough Manager Phyllis J. Anderson. “I am glad that we were afforded the opportunity to partner with Verona Borough on this joint venture. Our residents are extremely excited to have permanent collection available.”
Verona Borough Manager Stefanie Woolford agrees, “The residents of Verona are extremely excited about having a permanent glass recycling site. We are thrilled our partnership with Oakmont has allowed this to happen.”
All glass collected will be hauled by Michael Brothers to CAP Glass in Mt. Pleasant, Pa. There it will be sorted and prepared for use by regional glass product manufacturers. A bottle, jar or jug dropped in the bin can be recycled and back on a store shelf in less than 30 days.
For more information regarding glass recycling, visit the PRC website at prc.org/glass.
GLASS AT A GLANCE
GLASS IS 100% RECYCLABLE
GLASS CAN BE RECYCLED ENDLESSLY
RECYCLING GLASS USES
70% LESS ENERGY THAN RAW MATERIALS
IN A LANDFILL, GLASS TAKES 1 MILLION YEARS TO DEGRADE
A GLASS BOTTLE CAN GO FROM RECYCLING BIN TO STORE SHELF IN 30 DAYS