x
Breaking News
More () »

Why did some areas of metro Atlanta stop collecting glass recyclables left by the curb?

ATLANTA – For many Atlanta residents, recycling has been more of an effort since several local jurisdictions ended the practice of collecting glass left by the curb.

Homeowners are asking why they now have to take their glass recycling centers around the metro area.

DeKalb County, the city of Decatur, Marietta, Norcross, and Lilburn are among the areas where the sanitation department will no longer collect glass left with other recyclables by the curb.

Here’s why.

Glass can break and contaminate other recyclables like paper and boxes.

“The recyclable materials were not as valuable as they could have been,” says Pauline Andrea of DeKalb Sanitation.

Because of that, there are processing centers that will no longer accept glass.

DeKalb found another place to send its glass, but it is now up to homeowners to carry their glass to one of fourteen drop-off centers located around the county.

So, why can’t DeKalb and other jurisdictions continue to collect the glass curbside and simply deliver it to another recycling center?

According to Andrea, DeKalb’s sanitation trucks aren't designed to keep glass and other recyclables separate. The county tells us they'd either have to retrofit their trucks, or add a "glass collection" day to the already busy schedule of their crews.

“That would mean a fourth collection stream, which would mean engaging resources, staffing resources, financial resources, and that’s not feasible,” says Andrea.

Even though it's not as convenient as leaving it by the curb, DeKalb County residents have delivered more than 230 tons of glass to the drop-off points over the last year.

Before You Leave, Check This Out