Looking to make eco-friendly choices in Salt Lake City? Our glass recycling shopping guide shows you how simple and impactful it is to recycle glass locally. Discover the best drop-off spots, curbside options, and sustainable products to support a cleaner environment. Join your neighbors in making SLC greener—start recycling glass today and shop smarter for a sustainable tomorrow!
Glass Recycling in Salt Lake City: Comparing Collection Options
| Collection Method | Availability | Cost (Residential) | Accepted Glass Types | Frequency | Convenience Level | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curbside Subscription | Within SLC, select SL Valley areas | ~$8.24–$8.49/month (SLC) $25.50/quarter + $55 startup (SL Valley) | Bottles, jars, all colors. No color sorting needed | Monthly | High | 35-gal bin provided, reminders by app/email/text |
| Public Drop-Off Sites | Citywide, SL Valley | Free | Bottles, jars, all colors. No color sorting needed | Self-serve | Moderate | Over 60 locations, open 24/7, for residents only |
| Commercial Service | Businesses, apartments (by contract) | Custom pricing | Bottles, jars, food/beverage containers | Customizable | Variable | Options for larger bins, pickup schedule; support |
| Specialty Removal (e.g., window glass, mirrors) | Citywide (by private hauler) | Pay-per-job/size | Mirrors, windows, specialty glass | On-demand | High | Bulk removal, safe handling, transparent pricing |
Everyday Usage of Glass Recycling in Salt Lake City
Glass is an integral part of daily life—used in beverage bottles, jars for food, and even some household decor. In Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, glass recycling ensures that these items are transformed into new products, helping the environment and your community.
What Can You Recycle?
- Beverage bottles (all colors)
- Food jars (sauce, condiments, spices, etc.)
- Glass cosmetic bottles
- Some drinking glasses and vases
What Not to Include:
– Light bulbs
– Window glass, mirrors
– Ceramics and porcelain
– Pyrex and other heat-resistant glass
Proper separation is crucial: Glass in your blue/lined commingled recycling bin in SLC and most SL Valley cities is NOT recycled and can harm equipment and other recyclables. Use designated glass-only bins or curbside containers.
Where Does Your Glass Go?
Glass collected through SLC’s residential and commercial programs is brought to a specialized local facility where it is:
– Inspected and cleaned
– Broken into cullet (small sand-like pieces)
– Used to make new bottles, fiberglass insulation, industrial abrasives, and more
When you recycle glass the right way, over 95% can be successfully repurposed—much higher than glass sent through commingled streams.
Benefits of Glass Recycling
Recycling glass offers powerful advantages for your household, city, and the planet:
Environmental & Resource Impact
- Infinitely recyclable: Glass can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality.
- Cuts energy use: Recycling glass uses about 40% less energy compared to using raw materials.
- Saves resources: Each ton of recycled glass saves over a ton of natural resources (sand, soda ash, limestone).
- Reduces emissions: Every six tons of recycled glass used prevents a ton of carbon dioxide emissions.
- Keeps waste out of landfills: Glass is heavy and takes up valuable landfill space, which you help preserve by recycling.
Community & Economic Benefits
- Supports local jobs: Processing and recycling glass locally creates more jobs than simply sending it to a landfill.
- Stimulates local economy: Glass recycled in Salt Lake City benefits area industries and infrastructure.
- Helps keep sanitation costs lower: Reduces waste tonnage sent to landfill, stretching budgets further.
Improves Overall Recycling Success
- Avoids contamination: Keeping glass separate from plastics/paper boosts the value and recyclability of all materials.
- Safer for workers and machinery: Properly sorted glass reduces wear-and-tear in recycling equipment and lowers injury risks.
How to Choose the Best Glass Recycling Option
For Households
- Curbside Collection (Most Convenient)
- Available to SLC residents and some areas of Salt Lake Valley.
- Get a dedicated 35-gallon bin for glass only—easy, mess-free, and with reminders for pickup.
-
Monthly charge added to your utility bill.
-
Drop-Off Locations
- Ideal if you do not qualify for or want to pay for curbside service, or if you have extra glass.
- Over 60 locations in SLC and dozens more around the valley.
-
Free and open 24/7, but busiest on weekends.
-
Apartment or Condo Living
- If you’re in a small multi-family property with SLC waste service, you may sign up for curbside.
- Otherwise, talk to your property manager—programs exist for multi-unit buildings.
- Always use drop-off sites if curbside service isn’t available.
For Businesses and Special Projects
- Momentum Recycling and other local providers offer scalable glass recycling tailored for restaurants, bars, offices, and property managers.
- Choose bin size and pickup frequency based on your needs.
- Ask about educational resources, signs, or staff training to boost participation.
For Construction Waste, Mirrors, Specialty Glass
- Contact a specialty hauler for safe bulk removal (e.g., 1-800-GOT-JUNK style services).
- Pricing is by job size; check if your materials are accepted.
- Standard glass recycling programs do NOT accept mirrors, windows, ceramics, or automotive glass.
Tips for Choosing:
– Start with curbside if eligible for maximum convenience and direct recycling.
– Use drop-off locations if flexibility is more important or if you produce large amounts of glass.
– For offices or rental units, collaborate with your waste provider for a tailored solution.
– Specialty services are best for one-time or nonstandard glass items.
User Tips and Best Practices for Using Glass Recycling in Salt Lake City
Setting Up for Success
- Always separate glass from other household recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal).
- Use the right container: Only put glass in designated glass-only bins.
- Don’t worry about rinsing: Rinsing is not required, though it helps reduce odors at home.
- Do remove lids and corks: Toss metal lids in your commingled recycling, toss corks and rubber/plastic stoppers in the trash.
- Leave labels on: Removing them is not necessary.
Preparing Your Glass for Collection
- Breakage is allowed—broken glass is fine.
- Place bin at least 3 feet away from cars and other obstacles.
- Ensure the bin lid closes completely—overfilled bins may not be collected.
- Only put glass INSIDE the bin—side items will not be picked up.
Maximizing Your Contribution
- Take extra glass to drop-off sites if your monthly curbside bin fills up.
- Consider downsizing your landfill garbage bin to offset the cost of glass recycling.
- Remind household members and coworkers of glass recycling best practices (avoid contamination).
- Use mobile apps and notifications to never miss collection day.
- Check for expanded service: New neighborhoods and multi-family properties are being added regularly.
Technical Features Comparison Table
| Feature/Attribute | Curbside Subscription (SLC) | Drop-Off Site (Public) | Commercial Glass Service | Specialty Hauler (Bulk/Mirror) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bin Size | 35-gallon provided | Varies—public container | Customizable | Not applicable |
| Pickup Frequency | Once monthly | On-demand, self-serve | Scheduled or on-call | On-demand |
| Accepted Items | Bottles, jars (all colors, broken OK) | Bottles, jars, as above | Bottles, jars, vases, etc. | Windows, mirrors, specialty |
| Not Accepted | Ceramics, mirrors, windows, lightbulbs, Pyrex | Same | Can be tailored | Hazardous items not accepted |
| Fee/Cost | ~$8.24–$8.49/month on utility bill | Free | Custom quote | Per job size |
| Eligibility | Most SLC residents; some SL Valley | All residents | Businesses, HOAs | Individuals/businesses |
| Reminder System | App, email, phone, text | N/A | On request (some services) | N/A |
| Environmental Impact | 95%+ recycled, local facility | 95%+ recycled, local | 95%+ recycled, local | Varies (recycling aims) |
| Special Handling | Broken glass, label-on OK, no lid/cork | Broken glass OK | Custom solutions | Safe removal, bulk handling |
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Conclusion
Glass recycling in Salt Lake City is designed to make sustainable living easy, convenient, and impactful. By using either curbside collection or one of many public drop-off sites, you can ensure your glass bottles and jars are truly recycled—supporting the local economy and reducing environmental harm.
Curbside subscription is the simplest option for eligible households, while drop-off centers ensure everyone can recycle glass, regardless of residence type. Businesses and property managers can set up larger or more frequent pickups to fit their needs.
Remember to always separate glass from other recyclables for best results, and leverage user-friendly resources like reminders or recycling apps to stay on track.
Your choices matter—every jar or bottle you recycle makes Salt Lake City greener for future generations.
FAQ
- Can I recycle all types of glass in Salt Lake City?
Only glass bottles and jars used for food and beverages are accepted through most curbside and drop-off programs. Do not put window glass, mirrors, ceramics, light bulbs, or Pyrex in glass recycling bins.
- Do I need to rinse my glass containers before recycling?
Rinsing is NOT required for curbside and drop-off programs (especially in SLC)—though it may help keep your home bin cleaner. The recycling facility handles glass cleaning during processing.
- How much does curbside glass recycling cost, and how is billing handled?
For Salt Lake City, the typical cost is about $8.24 to $8.49 per month, conveniently added to your utility/water bill. Some Salt Lake Valley areas charge $25.50 per quarter plus a one-time startup fee. Check with your service provider for exact rates and eligibility.
- Can I recycle colored glass or do I need to separate by color?
Separation by color is NOT required. Place all colors of bottles and jars together in your designated glass recycling bin.
- What happens if I put glass in my regular blue (mixed) recycling bin?
Glass in mixed-stream bins will NOT be recycled in Salt Lake City and can contaminate or damage other recyclables and equipment. Always use glass-only bins for recycling glass.
- Where do I take glass if I can’t get curbside service or my apartment doesn’t offer it?
Use any of over 60 public drop-off glass recycling locations throughout Salt Lake City and the valley. These sites are open 24/7 and are free for residents to use.
- Can I recycle broken glass?
Yes, broken glass bottles and jars are accepted and even expected, as the glass is broken down in the recycling process. Just ensure it goes in the proper glass-only container.
- What should I do with lids, caps, or corks?
Remove lids, corks, and stoppers before recycling your glass. Place metal lids in your mixed recycling (if accepted), and corks or plastic stoppers in the trash.
- Can businesses and apartments participate in glass recycling?
Many small multi-family properties in SLC and businesses throughout the region can set up glass recycling. Larger apartments and businesses should contact their waste provider for a commercial or custom solution.
- How do I sign up for or manage my glass recycling service?
Residents can register online by providing their water or utility account number or by calling their recycling service. New bins are typically delivered within 7–10 days. Most programs offer easy cancellation or bin repair—just contact your provider.
