Restaurant Recycling Program Gaining Speed In Huntsville

"We're cold calling restaurants now, making contact by phone or stopping by," said John Baker, Vice President of Sales for Green Mountain Glass.

Baker says Green Mountain Glass has about 20 establishments currently signed up to recycle glass products.

"That's just scratching the surface. We need every bar, restaurant and hotel, anyone serving alcohol to the public, we want your bottles," said Baker.

He says with more bars on board to recycle, there is a huge potential to reduce waste from wine and beer bottles.

"We can take about 150 tons a week of glass out of the landfill," said Baker.

He says there is a one-time $50 fee to set up a couple of 55 gallon barrels at the establishment. After that, it's free.

"Some people view it as, 'well, why should I pay you to do this?' And they're really not paying us to do it, because there is no charge once we start picking the glass up," explained Baker.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza has been a test pilot for the glass recycling program.

"We were really excited to be able to not throw that glass in the garbage," said Mellow Mushroom Co-Owner Diane Holman.

Holman says the majority of their glass comes from the bar.

"We go through a lot of glass, beer bottles and liquor bottles mostly," she said.

Baker says the Mellow Mushroom team has embraced the idea.

"The whole staff just immediately took to it. They come out and talk to us about it, they want to make sure they are getting it right."

The restaurant also has a counter top made of recycled glass, which is just one product that crushed recycled glass has the potential to become in the future.

Green Mountain Glass recently agreed to service the U.S. Space and Rocket Center to recycle its glass from major events held at the Davidson Center.