Local and family owned GlassKing Recovery & Recycling is expanding its network with the nation's largest recycled glass processor, Strategic Materials, to provide glass recycling diversion programs to the state of Arizona. Glass makes up roughly 25% of Arizona’s waste stream and in 2019 it is estimated that more than one million tons of glass were sent to local landfills.

Through the partnership, these recycling experts will educate and expand services throughout the state to counteract continuing cuts to recycling programs. This is the first public union between the glass collector and processor.

GlassKing Recovery & Recycling provides turn-key recycling solutions for businesses generating glass waste. By removing glass at the point of consumption, GlassKing can deliver cleaner glass recyclables to Strategic Materials processing facility where it is sized and sorted by color. From there, the processed glass is sent to manufacturers that use recycled glass to produce new items like new bottles and fiberglass. With the efficiency of this partnership, the glass cullet can be turned into new products and be back on a store shelf within 30 days of delivery to the manufacturer.

“By teaming up with these industry leaders, we are paving a foundation to assist others in their diversion goals,” said Rose King, co-founder of GlassKing Recovery & Recycling. “With the typical single-stream commercial collection, glass can be challenging to recover, which is why we believe it is advantageous for all parties to provide a separate glass only collection for the hospitality industry. Everybody wins.”

To kick-off the partnership, the Arizona Recycling Coalition will be hosting an event Wednesday, March 11 at 3 p.m. at Culinary Dropout, 5632 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, that is open to local municipalities, members of the hospitality industry, as well as recycling stakeholders. During this event, there will be tours of both the GlassKing and Strategic Materials facilities.