By Emily Randall
Northeast News
Jan. 27, 2010

In the span of one year, Kansas Citians threw away 150 million pounds of glass, which could have been reused or recycled, but instead took up space in a landfill.

Now, however, there is a new option for glass recycling. Ripple Glass, an organization begun in November, collects glass from all over the Kansas City area, has a facility at Interstate 435 and Truman Road to crush the class into cullet and sells it to Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corporation, located in Fairfax.

Ripple Glass is responsible for the bright purple bins that have been popping up all over the city — including, most recently, here in Historic Northeast. Northeast residents may now conveniently deposit their glass jars and bottles in the Ripple Glass bin in the Northeast News parking lot at 5715 St. John Ave.

“We were quick to team up with Ripple Glass,” Northeast News Publisher Michael Bushnell said. “I thought it was important to bring a bin into Northeast. Recycling glass is a simple way to improve our community and environment.”

The next nearest places to drop off glass are in City Market or at 18th and Wyandotte streets. The company tries to have one bin located every three miles. There are about 60 of them total in the metropolitan area.

“The ticket is making it available so people are encouraged to [recycle],” said Sandi Garrison, assistant to the Ripple Glass executive director.

Since Ripple Glass formed, more than 100 tons of glass have been recycled in the Kansas City area. Just since November, the company has seen a 40 percent increase in usage of the bins.

Garrison said the bin located at the Northeast News office can hold five tons of glass, and the company hopes to have to empty it once a month.

At this time, Ripple Glass only takes glass food containers — like pop and wine bottles and jars that held food. Users are asked to give the glass a quick rinse, but there is no need to remove labels and stickers. Do not deposit lids, boxes or bags in the Ripple Glass bins.