TACOMA, Wash. — The city of Tacoma is no longer recycling glass, at least for now. The change happened more than three weeks ago.
The city posted online on Sept. 24 informing residents of the immediate change. Glass dropped off at their glass recycling locations will go to the landfill, according to the city.
"It's kind of disappointing that they can't even recycle glass now,” said Steve Brewer, a resident who was dropping off glass recycling in Tacoma.
The City of Tacoma stopped curbside glass recycling for homes three years ago but has several glass recycling drop-off locations in the city.
The city said their glass recycling processor, Strategic Materials Inc. (SMI), said it can no longer process recycled glass due to low demand. Other areas, like Skagit County, are currently facing similar issues.
A glass facility in Seattle, which SMI worked with, recently stopped glass production. Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America said in July they announced the “indefinite curtailment” of production at their Seattle glass production facility. The company said this is a result of “ongoing pressure from low-priced imports from China, Chile and Mexico, and market conditions.” The company said if the market conditions change, it would consider restarting production at its Seattle facility.
When it comes to restoring the service, a spokesperson for the City of Tacoma said it is reviewing data and is in discussions with potential partners.
Residents wish the city would do more to prevent the glass from going to the landfill.
“It would be great if they could set it aside, so when they do get a new recycler, it wouldn't be in the landfill,” Brewer said. “Who knows how long it's going to take?”
Other residents also said it is important to recycle the products that can be reused.
"Bummer," said Carolyn Spehar, who was dropping glass recycling in Tacoma. "That's what I thought, you know?"
She wishes the city would create a facility to process recycled glass.
"It is a recyclable product, which can be used for many useful things,” Spehar said.
People in Tacoma said everything makes a difference.
“I mean, this is a small part, but that's what it's going to take, is a bunch of small parts,” Brewer said.
As of right now, the city said there is currently no timeline for when glass recycling will be restored.
The City of Tacoma said in 2023 approximately 2,500 tons of glass was recycled.
Glass is still being recycled in University Place and Pierce County. Both jurisdictions told KING 5 that Tacoma residents can drop off glass for free.
Pierce County said online:
“The main glass processor in western Washington has stopped accepting glass because the local factory that was recycling glass shut down. Our recycling partners have found an alternative regional glass processor south of Pierce County, so glass collected in our system is still being recycled.”
People can drop off glass at the Pierce County glass recycling drop-off locations.
University Place Refuse and Recycling said it is hauling its glass recycling to a facility in Portland.
University Place Refuse and Recycling is currently accepting glass, free of charge, at their recycling center and drop-off facilities at Cirque Park and the auxiliary parking lot at Curtis High School.