GREENFIELD – Glass recycling is coming to Hancock County, and a nearby fiberglass business will benefit with the recycled product turned into insulation.
Recycle Hancock County was awarded a $15,300 grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The grant, through the Community Recycling Grant Program, will be used to purchase large containers to collect glass.
While individuals or businesses may pay for private glass recycling, this will mark the first free, public glass recycling option for the community.
“We’re very excited about this grant that we got, so we can provide a new recycling option for everyone in the community,” said Dede Allender, director of Recycle Hancock County.
The containers, expected to arrive this spring, will be located at the Republic Services transfer station on Franklin Street in Greenfield.
Recycling there will be free to anyone, and the glass will be taken to a processing facility in Hartford City.
The processed glass will be transported back to Knapf Fiberglass in Shelbyville. The completed product will ultimately be used for fiberglass insulation.
“It’s kind of fun because you get to see the full circle of what happens when you recycle it,” Allender said, adding that the business paid the $5,000 match for the grant. “It’s great for them and for us; it’s going to benefit them in the long run.”
The grant was part of nearly $513,600 awarded to 16 applicants across the state. The grants were available to counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, schools and nonprofit organizations in Indiana, according to a press release from IDEM.
“IDEM is proud to work with communities throughout the state toward increasing recycling opportunities,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “The grants are a great way for IDEM to promote recycling and facilitate recycling education in communities statewide.”
