Earlier this year, the Alabama Environmental Council initiated its glass pickup program, working with a handful of local businesses by picking up their glass twice weekly in a 16-foot truck and taking it to their downtown recycling center, the only such facility in the county.

The Alabama Environmental Council began a glass pick-up program earlier this year with a handful of businesses, but reports are that participation and recycling volume are way up. Photo from Seattle Municipal Archives.

Glass from the center is taken to the Argos cement factory in Calera, Ala., and used as aggregate in their manufacturing process.

In the first month of operation, the pickup program recycled 7000 pounds of glass from 11 businesses.

Since then, the program has expanded to 18 businesses and more than tripled in recycling volume to 25,000 pounds of glass in June. According to a recent article on al.com, some participating businesses have reduced their waste by 50 percent since joining the program.

“We’ve wanted to be a part of a project like this for years,” said Michael Churchman, AEC’s executive director, in a release. “It’s a great fit for our organization since we’re the only place to recycle glass in the county. This is a great example of how businesses can be environmentally mindful and achieve economic benefits.”

With the success of the program already established, the AEC is looking towards expanding the program. According to a release, the program is targeting 30 to 35 businesses for participation.

To become involved in the AEC’s recycling program, go online at aeconline.org/recycling.