It’s something Shaler residents have been asking for and effective immediately, Shaler residents can now include glass in their recycling.

There has been a constant demand from residents for glass recycling over the past few years, ever since County Hauling — the garbage service and recycling company hired by the township — stopped taking glass for a variety of reasons. The main reason for the company refusing to accept glass was that it would break and spoil other recycled products such as cardboard, making them unmarketable to buyers outside the U.S., according to township manager Chris Lovato.

So, what has brought about this sudden change in the township’s recycling policy?

“I believe technology has changed so that (recycling companies) now have a different technique, so they can use the glass without spoiling the rest of the recycling products,” Lovato said. “Our residents have always asked for us to have a glass recycling container at or in the municipal building. As part of that exploration, we reached back out to County Hauling and they said that they were able to take glass directly at the curb.”

The township has asked County Hauling to accept glass in the last seven months of their contract as a courtesy to residents. The current refuse contract expires at the end of the year, so if County Hauling is not the successful bidder, the new collector will be required to have some sort of glass recycling in place.

“We’ve put glass recycling in our specifications and we’ve also put that if circumstances change and the hauler is unable to provide curbside glass recycling service, they will be required to place a glass recycling bin in the township and collect that at no additional cost to the township,” Lovato said.

Lovato added that the reaction from Shaler residents has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I think everyone has been looking for a solution to places to put their glass,” he said. “I believe a lot of people don’t really like throwing it away because they have recycled glass for a majority of their adult lives. So that was a tough change for a lot of our residents and they’re very happy that it’s back and that their glass will be put to another use.”

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