How cost, other factors stifle glass recycling efforts in Montana

The Target http://www.target.com public relations department did not return repeated emails or calls from the Missoulian on Friday requesting clarification on exactly what percentage of the glass loads are too contaminated to recycle or exactly how clean glass is recycled.

Recycling glass in Montana is a difficult and complicated proposition at best. In fact, the Target store in Missoula is the only retailer in the state with a glass bottle recycling program, and even there, a large quantity of the glass that is dropped off for recycling ends up at the Missoula landfill.

That’s because recycling loads that are contaminated with other materials are not eligible for recycling. Trash, plastic bottles, bottle caps, aluminum cans, cardboard boxes and plastic bags are all considered contaminants, according to Target spokesperson Jessica Stevens.

Only clean glass containers with no caps, lids or corks are accepted.

By David Erickson

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/business/local/how-cost-other-factors-stifle-glass-recycling-efforts-in-montana/article_36c9aa22-bc50-11e3-a973-0019bb2963f4.html