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1. I pay for curbside recycling. Can I still place my glass in my curbside cart?

Yes, at this time, all customers may still place glass in the curbside carts. Please remember that glass often breaks during collection and transportation of recyclables. Broken glass cannot be separated easily and contaminates recyclables.

2. Why is glass being separated from other recyclables?

The most efficient method of recycling glass is through a process where it is not contaminated with any other materials. When glass is mixed in with single-stream recycling, it can break during collection, transport and processing. This makes it difficult to separate from other materials and achieve successful recycling. 

Oftentimes, the quality of glass from a materials recovery facility (MRF), cannot be recycled into new glass containers, and is reused for alternative daily cover (ADC) instead. ADC refers to the use of a material other than soil as a daily cover for a landfill, which is required by federal regulations to improve health and safety around a landfill.

3. Why is recycling glass important?

Glass is an ideal package for the circular economy. More than 80% of the bottles that are recycled are used to make new bottles with recycled content. Glass is infinitely recyclable without loss of quality, making it a permanent material that can continue offset the need for raw materials as often as it is recycled.

4. What if I have broken glass?

Large pieces of broken glass may be placed in purple containers, but we recommend throwing it away so that you do not get injured.

5. Why do I have to empty liquids and rinse food residue?

Emptying liquids and rinsing food residue prevents recyclables from attracting wildlife and pests.

6. I have glass products that you do not accept. What do I do with it?

In-tact glass windows, sliding doors and mirrors can be dropped off to Habitat for Humanity ReStore (ReStore) on Jamestown Road. ReStore also accepts usable Pyrex, pottery and ceramics.

7. Why is the glass being taken to O-I Glass?

This glass-only recycling program is possible due to investment made by O-I Glass. As a company, O-I Glass wants to increase the amount of recycled glass in their products. As a token of their appreciation for citizen efforts, O-I Glass will be making a charitable donation to the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, which will invest the donation in our community.

8. What does this new program cost the County?

This program has no additional cost implications to the County. Containers from convenience centers were already being transported.

9. Why is the United Way of the Greater Peninsula the recipient of the charitable donation?

The United Way of the Greater Peninsula provides funding to multiple community organizations, which allows for funds to be dispersed to multiple organizations. Additionally, O-I Glass had an existing relationship with United Way.

10. Where can I learn more about O-I Glass?

O-I Glass has had a manufacturing plant in James City County since 1980. Please visit their website or their Sustainability page to learn more specifically about their glass recycling efforts.