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Curbside glass recycling program expanding in Salt Lake County

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SALT LAKE COUNTY – A curbside glass recycling program is expanding across Salt Lake County, which is expected to create new jobs and handle thousands of pounds of recyclable material.

Jeffrey Whitbeck is a managing partner at Momentum Recycling, and he spoke about their plans for growth.

"Over the course of the next three to five years, we plan to provide this service to all residents who are interested,” he said.

Momentum Recycling is working with Wasatch Front Waste to collect glass, starting in Emigration Canyon and Millcreek.

They already take in about 1,000 tons of glass each month, and more glass will require more jobs for sorters and drivers.

"On top of that, all of that glass is going to stay in the community, and it will go to local destinations for glass processing,” Whitbeck said.

That could mean a bump in industrial jobs related to glass recycling. The glass is processed down to a sand-like powder called cullet, which is sold to make new products.

"Owens Corning is our biggest customers, so they'll be getting that glass and integrating that into their processes for manufacturing fiber glass insulation,” Whitbeck said.

To be a success, the program takes some education about what can, and cannot, be recycled.

"One of the biggest challenges has to do with ceramics,” Whitbeck said. “Frequently, for whatever reason, people believe that ceramics can be placed in with the glass for recycling--and unfortunately that's not the case."

Once it’s up and rolling, Momentum Recycling said this will be the largest curbside recycling program in Utah.

For more information on how you can recycle your glass and other items, click here.