Recycle glass at Village Square Mall in Bethel Park

Residents of Allegheny County can drop off glass bottles, jars and jugs at permanent recycling dumpsters thanks to a grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Blue recycling dumpsters have been installed permanently at Village Square Mall, 5000 Oxford Drive, Bethel Park, where dropoff is available seven days a week. Sponsors are the municipalities of Bethel Park, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair, in partnership with Oxford Development Co.

The Glass Recycling Collaborative of Southwestern PA, a newly formed partnership between municipalities in Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Resources Council, is providing reliable, uninterrupted glass recycling access.

All colors of glass bottles, jars and jugs at the first two sites, also including one in Moon Township, established as part of the regional glass-recycling network.

“For years, CAP Glass and Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling have served as essential partners with PRC in glass recycling programs in this region, and we are excited see our partnership expand through the collaborative,” said Sarah Alessio Shea, Pennsylvania Resources Council deputy director.

Michael Brothers, based in Baldwin Borough, will deliver all glass collected in the blue dumpsters to CAP Glass in Mt. Pleasant, Shea said.

“There it will be sorted and prepared for use by regional glass product manufacturers, and a bottle, jar or jug dropped in the bin today could be recycled and back on a store shelf in less than 30 days,” she said.

The recycling program is made possible through a PA DEP recycling grant held by Dormont.

“Glass is still one of the most recyclable materials we generate in our homes, and the market for glass recycling is very strong,” Shea said. “It’s important from an environmental perspective to keep glass out of landfills, and PRC is dedicated to building an efficient, region-wide glass recycling collection network.”

For more information, www.prc.org/glass.