Glass
Containers Continue to be Recycled in Loudoun County
Loudoun
County officials remind residents and businesses that glass food and beverage
containers continue to be recycled in the county. Recycling collectors who
receive a permit from the county to operate as “major” collectors are required
to collect glass containers for recycling, along with cardboard and paperboard,
steel/tin cans, aluminum cans, newspapers and magazines, plastic beverage and
detergent containers and yard waste.
Those
residents who do not have curbside recycling service may recycle their glass
containers at one of several county-operated recycling drop-off centers
conveniently located throughout the county.
Before
being recycled, all glass containers should be empty and relatively clean, with
little or no food residue or liquids, and should be placed loosely in the
recycling bin, not in plastic bags. Taking these steps will help reduce the
contamination of glass containers that has led some local governments to stop
recycling glass.
Glass
containers currently collected in Loudoun County through curbside recycling
services are taken to material recovery facilities where all materials are
sorted and prepared for shipping and recycling. Due to the presence of
contaminants in the glass following the sorting process, the glass is primarily
repurposed as a low-value material for landfill operations such as road base
and daily cover. While Virginia law allows this repurposing, the Loudoun County
landfill does not accept glass materials for its operations.
Loudoun
County is exploring alternative collection methods for glass containers to help
ensure they are able to be fully recycled, including a future pilot program
involving “container glass only” collection bins at a few county recycling
drop-off centers.
For
more information about recycling in Loudoun County, visit
loudoun.gov/recycling. Contact the Loudoun County Department of General
Services with any questions at dgs@loudoun.gov or 703-771-5514.
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