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SL County's Curbside Glass Program Expanding

Nicole Nixon
Much of the glass recycled in Salt Lake County is taken to Momentum Recycling's plant just south of the airport.

Curbside glass recycling is about to expand to more neighborhoods in Salt Lake County.

Last year, Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District partnered with Momentum Recycling to bring the curbside glass program to the Canyon Rim and Emigration Canyon neighborhoods. Now, they’re expanding the opt-in service to East Millcreek, Mount Olympus Cove, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, and a portion of Murray.

Momentum Recycling is a private business that has a contract with the county to collect, crush, and clean the glass, before sending most of it to a fiberglass insulation factory in Nephi.

“Twenty-six tons have been collected over the course of the life of the Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District curbside glass program, which started back in August of 2015,” says Jeff Whitbeck, a managing partner at Momentum.  “So 26 tons over the course of the last six months or so. “

By next year, it’s expected the curbside glass program will expand into Taylorsville, followed by Magna, Kearns and Herriman.

Salt Lake City has offered curbside glass recycling for several years now, but for other parts of the county, wanting to recycle glass has meant making a trip to recycling bins scattered around the valley.

Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams says now, it can be more convenient.

“We reduce our environmental footprint and do the right thing. But it’s also something people are committed to,” says McAdams. “They want to recycle, but they want to make it convenient, and now they can do it at their curbside.”

For residents who’d like to opt-in, collection costs $8 a month, plus a one-time $45 start-up fee. That pays for a grey 36-gallon bin to recycle all colors and types of glass, plus—monthly pickup reminders. 

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