Effective 1 May, glass recycling will no longer be available in Bozeman. The glaring yellow signs on the “Binnies” proclaim “Glass is Trash”. It may be, but glass is also a material which is almost 100 percent recyclable (and can be recycled profitably).
Recycling glass is important: relative to new materials, making glass from recycled glass uses 40% less energy (pulverized glass, called cullet, melts at a lower temperature), reduces related air pollution by 20% and related water pollution by 50%; carbon emissions associated with transporting glass to be recycled are significantly less than associated with extraction and transportation of new materials. Even if not economically attractive, recycling glass remains an important component of adopting a sustainable lifestyle that will preserve the earth for generations to come.
The Gallatin Valley is beautiful; recycling glass reduces the demand for raw materials which must be quarried from our landscapes–a clear environmental advantage to recovering and recycling glass. Moreover, recycling reduces the amount of glass waste dumped in the landfill. Most importantly, recycling the waste we produce makes us more conscientious of the effect we have on our environment and enables us to contribute towards a greater level of sustainability
At present, the state of Montana has no internal facilities for recycling glass. Lawmakers seemingly have failed to create tax and other incentives for using recycled materials. The current amount of glass being “Binnie”-ed in the Valley should be a clear indicator of tax payers’ demand for glass recycling service. Residents of Gallatin County have demonstrated that glass recycling is important; the municipal government should pay attention.
With mounting recognition of global climate change and the urgent necessity of reducing carbon emissions and consumption, eliminating glass recycling service in Bozeman is the wrong choice for a green Bozeman and a sustainable future.
(A collaborative effort of MSU Green Club)
Did you send this to the newspaper or something? I also think you should have a big rally – make some signs and protest!!!
(I think I’m just excited because Take Back the Night rally/march is tonight…but I also think the MSU Green Club should rally/march too! I would try to think of some cool chants, but…I’m too lame. Good luck)
Ya– this was sent to the newspaper and to MSU’s student newspaper, too.
Before “glass was trash” in Bozeman it was well… trash. The city was using it at landfill cover, not to make new glass. Did you think you were recycling? I did.