North America’s Leader in Glass Recycling

St Paul, MN

Photo courtesy of Glass Packaging Institute

Recycling for a Green Economy

October 09, 2014

Strategic Materials Overview

Largest recycler of glass in North AmericaLargest in glass containers

Largest in fiberglass

Largest in highway bead

Large post industrial plastic recycler

Recycle over 3,000,000 tons per year

Over 40 locations

Operate with latest technology…ceramic detectors, color sorters, fine grind cullet

Recycling Glass for over 100 years

Glass Recycling in MN SMI operates one facility that recycles glass in MN

St Paul, MN – Curbside mix, Whole Bottle (Source

separated & Mixed), & Plate Glass

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Why Recycle GlassReduces Landfill Volumes

Creates Jobs

Plant employees, Drivers, Auxiliary growth

Reduces Carbon Footprint

Saves 25-30% of energy used to make new

glass containers

Saves $’s

Helps keep container pricing lower

Savings over landfill

Creation of New Products

Recycling Glass

Saves Natural

Resources

1 Ton of Recycled Glass

Saves

1.1 tons of Sand / Soda ash / &

Limestone

Glass Recycling Trends

Single Stream Increasing

More 3 mix

Smaller pieces

Higher processing costs

Bar/Restaurant/Commercial

Importance of Glass Quality

3-Mix Glass/Curbside Deposit-Grade Bottles

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A Tale of Two Piles…

Recycled 3-Mix Cullet

Before After

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Difficulties in Recycling Glass

Non Recyclables Rocks

Sharps, Syringes, Plungers, & Bags/Tubing

E-Glass & Light Bulbs

Garden Hoses, VHS Tapes, Chicken/Rib Bones,

Bakeware, Ceramics, Yard Waste, Wood, etc, etc

Paper Large Sheets

Shred

How to Improve Supply Continued education around the benefits of recycling

Schools

Public Space / Awareness Campaigns

Policy solutions to increase recycling

Extended Producer Responsibility Programs

• Container Deposits

• Stewardship Programs – industry-funded curbside

Landfill/Disposal Bans

Expansion of Single-Stream Programs

PAYT Systems

Public Space/Event Recycling

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How to Improve Supply Improved MRF/Glass Processor Technology

Improved Separation of Materials at MRF’s

Ability to Sort “The Rough Stuff”

Industry solutions to increase recycling

Collaborative industry-centric programs

New Focus on untapped markets

• Bar/Restaurant/On-Premise

• University Recycling

• Commercial Recycling

• Windshields

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How to Improve Bottom Line Remove the “One size fits all”

Hub & Spoke

Drop site to lower transport costs

Improved Quality

• Sorted by color

• Positive sorted vs Negative sorted

Hauler Options

Get competitive quotes

Consider alternative hauling methods

• County personnel

• Dump Trucks12

Recycle Glass