City considers Ripple Glass for recycling contract

On its Monday night agenda, Springfield City Council will consider an agreement with a Kansas City company to collect the city's recyclable glass.

Ripple Glass LLC would process Springfield glass for use in fiberglass insulation products if the agreement, which is on the council's consent agenda for a first reading, is approved.

According to a city news release, Springfield's recycling centers currently collect 375 tons of glass annually, despite the relatively small number of end users in the United States and the expense of transporting the material. Presently, glass collected in the city is stored near the city recycling center for use in construction projects. There would be no cost for the city in the proposed contract.

If approved, the city would be able to accept glass without charge from surrounding communities, the center city entertainment area and other businesses, as well as continuing the glass recycling at the city recycling centers, the release said. The glass would not need to be separated by color, and labels would not need to be removed.

Waste Corporation of America, Allied Waste Services and Automated Waste, all of which provide curbside recycling service in the city, have previously applied for and received waivers for glass, meaning their customers do not have to separate glass from other recyclables such as paper and plastic. Other trash companies in the city - all of which are required to offer curbside recycling - must offer glass recycling, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]