Local and family-owned GlassKing Recovery & Recycling is partnering with Strategic Materials and the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) to provide locals with a glass recycling solution during the current quarantine guidelines. The event will focus on the collection of glass from community members, including food, beverage, beer, wine and liquor bottles.

The event will be at GlassKing’s headquarters, 2802 S. 15th Avenue, Phoenix, from April 27 through May 4 to encourage people to participate as a part of a daily errand. During the occasion, bins will be placed 12-feet apart and people dropping off their glass can arrive between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. If recyclers are uncomfortable with leaving their vehicles there will be a zero-contact zone available. Recycling items such as Pyrex or other heat-resistant glass, plastic bags and dishware cannot be accepted. Vehicles will be instructed to enter going southbound on 15th Ave. and exit northbound on 15th Ave.

“With so many people at home, we want to make sure that our earth is still taken care of during this unusual time and recycling can be a great project for the entire family,” said Rose King, co-founder of GlassKing Recovery & Recycling. “Everybody benefits here because community members can gather all of their glass recyclables and drop them off knowing they are being reused into new glass pieces instead of ending up in a landfill.”

Glass makes up roughly 25 percent of Arizona’s waste stream, and in 2019, it is estimated that more than 1 million tons of glass were sent to local landfills. These recycling experts will educate and expand services throughout the state to counteract continuing cuts to recycling programs while keeping the community health as a top priority. The glass container manufacturing demand has increased during the current pandemic and is considered essential under the CISA Critical Infrastructure.

"GPI is proud to support this innovative effort by GlassKing Recovery & Recycling and Strategic Materials to make glass recycling safe in Phoenix during the COVID-19 response," said Scott DeFife, President of the Glass Packaging Institute.