Glass 

In 2011, the New Mexico Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau reported that 3,083 tons of glass were recycled for either end-market recycling or used locally for beneficial purposes. These beneficial uses include using glass locally for public works, roads, or landfill projects. Nationally, glass comprises 4.6% of the waste stream by weight. This percentage may vary by community and depends on the local economy, tourism establishments, and other variables, including if consumers pay deposits for glass containers for which they are reimbursed when the container is returned. 

In 2010, the U.S. recycled 33.4% of glass containers. New Mexico has a 1.5% glass recycling rate. If New Mexico communities collectively recycled 25% of their glass, that would divert 25,000 tons of material annually from our landfills. In total, it can be estimated that New Mexicans generate a little more than 100,000 tons of glass annually.*

*New Mexico Recycling Coalition 

Reasons to Divert Glass from Landfills:

  • Extend landfill life span. 
  • Divert a heavy material that has local beneficial uses.
  • Create products that can be used instead of aggregate or sand products that may be costly to procure. 
  • Customers often request glass recycling options. 
  • Support local economic development opportunities for small-scale recycled glass businesses.

Why is it Tough to Sell NM Glass to End-Markets?

First, there are no large-scale glass end markets in New Mexico. End-markets in Colorado and Texas that recycle glass bottles often have color separation requirements. Transportation of glass is also a challenge. With sorted, crushed glass being purchased at $10/ton exclusive of transportation, taxpayers may pay for the expensive transportation of this heavy payload. The logical solution for New Mexico communities is to collect, process, and use the material locally. 

In the past the Town of Taos has tried accepting and crushing glass, but the finely crushed glass has been of little use.  Machines are expensive and require frequent repair and attention. Glass is not a toxic waste, so recycling glass is a much lower priority until more recycling labor and increased funding can support other commodities.  Any business or organization that can use recycled glass should contact Lorenzo at Taos County Solid Waste, (575) 779-8941.  One inspirational business is Broken Arrow Glass Recycling, which picks up in Taos! https://brokenarrowglassrecycling.com