Great Lakes Circular Materials Roundtable: Glass - Jan. 12, 2021
Overview
Our fifth Great Lakes Circular Materials Roundtable was hosted in January 2021 and focused on glass. Here's a quick recap, and some key takeaways and observations from our team:
Presentations were provided by these speakers:
Scott DeFife, Glass Packaging Institute
Laura Hennemann, Strategic Materials
Lindsey Walker, Emmet County Recycling
Kate Martini, Bell’s Brewery
Key Takeaways
Since glass is one of the heaviest commodities, value chain economics depends heavily on facility proximity and transportation costs. Solutions proposed by presenters include:
high-generating facilities can partner with processors offering on-site solutions
designing a hub-and-spoke model for MRFs within a region
piloting mobile collection and processing concepts for event sites and locations incapable of hosting permanent solutions
Recycling glass is less energy intensive than producing from virgin materials and has little to effect on structural integrity. Therefore, many strong end-markets exist for post-consumer and post-industrial glass, and the low production costs of recycled glass products is driving market penetration independent of customer demand and corporate social responsibility.
Challenges still exist in post-consumer collection and contamination control at MRFs, preventing glass recycling rates from reaching highest potential in some regions.
High-value markets for recycled glass content include containers, fiberglass insulation and durable construction materials like carpet, tiles and concrete.
Although lower in market value, beneficial reuse cases for glass like landcover and road aggregates can become reliable outlets for high volumes of post-consumer and post-industrial glass when material expectations are understood and met.
EGLE has awarded recycling market development grants in Michigan that have led investment in collection infrastructure and material processing to better meet end-market specifications. Similar efforts are being applied to developing specific end-markets like roads and aggregates.
Action Items
The Materials Marketplace team is working directly with individuals who have opportunities to divert high volumes of glass from landfill, and additional action items include:
For businesses involved in the glass value chain seeking funding opportunities and/or developmental support, explore the innovation challenges hosted by NextCycle MI.
For glass material processors, create wanted listings with your facility locations and detailed spec requirements.
For glass material generators, create available listings on the Materials Marketplace with generation site locations and supply details.
Start conversations with Materials Marketplace users with whom you could match supplies to solutions or with whom you can collaborate to overcome barriers related to volume, frequency, and location.
Connect with potential partners in your area and request introductions from the Materials Marketplace program team.
Continue networking and learning about opportunities in the Great Lakes glass value chain by attending upcoming networking events. Register for upcoming events here.