Imagine finishing your kombucha and feeling great about tossing the empty bottle into the recycling bin, thinking you've done your part for the environment. However, the reality is that much of the glass placed in recycling bins never actually gets recycled. When glass bottles and jars are mixed with other recyclables, they often break into tiny fragments that are challenging to separate. After sorting, these bits end up too contaminated to be effectively recycled.
Why is glass recycling so challenging?
According to Eric Forbes from Fairfax County's solid waste management program, "If you look at the pile, it’s really even hard to tell there’s glass in there. There’s a lot of small bits of paper and plastics that are mixed in, making it difficult to salvage the glass for recycling."
What can you do to help?
Next time you finish your kombucha or any other glass container, consider rinsing it out before placing it in the recycling bin. This simple step can help reduce contamination and improve the chances of the glass being recycled properly. Additionally, check with your local recycling program to see if they have specific guidelines for glass recycling.