Arlingtonians Recycling Glass at Record-Shattering Rates

Arlingtonians have recycled over a million pounds of glass at the drop-off center since January, a record likely to keep up if everyone stays bottled up in quarantine.

Last April, Arlington County ditched its curbside glass recycling program as separating out and recycling glass had become overly expensive. Instead, Arlingtonians were asked to drop off their glass recycling at dedicated containers that were then taken to Fairfax County for reuse in construction, building, and — more recently — recycling into new glass products.

Since the launch of the drop-off recycling program, county officials say there have been two million pounds of glass recycled, half of which as been over the last few months.

“A million pounds since January was impressive and we’ll likely see another million at a much faster pace for obvious reasons,” as residents stay at home amid the pandemic, said Dept. of Environmental Services spokesman Peter Golkin. “ABC stores are definitely doing strong business as are the grocery stores.”

Golkin said recyclers are asked to avoid late night or early morning drop-offs at the residential drop-off sites like Cherrydale to avoid loud clattering.

You did it, Arlington. In just the first year of our new drop-off glass program, you recycled two million pounds of the stuff – the last million just since New Year's. That's many a cup o' kindness yet for auld lang syne. https://t.co/p0PuSmld2N pic.twitter.com/6DCFQLS63f

— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) May 7, 2020

Photo via Arlington County