Glass Recycling Coalition presents two glass certifications

The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority (CCRRA), Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and Mazza Recycling Services, Tinton Falls, New Jersey, both received Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Glass Certifications from the Glass Recycling Coalition (GRC). The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based coalition has awarded a gold certification to CCRRA and a bronze certification to Mazza Recycling.

According to a news release from the GRC, the CCRRA is the first MRF to be awarded a Gold MRF Glass Certification in Pennsylvania and the first multistream MRF to receive certification. Glass recycling has been an integral part of Centre County’s program since its inception in 1989. 

“CCRRA is proud to have a gold certification that reinforces that glass is an important part of the recycling puzzle,” says Joanne Shafer, deputy executive director of the CCRRA. “The glass container industry in Pennsylvania is still vibrant and employs many in our commonwealth.” 

The coalition says Mazza Recycling Services built its MRF in 2020, processing single-stream recyclables at 40 tons per hour. The facility features glass sorting technology to produce cleaner glass for end markets.  

“We are so honored and amazed that the GRC chose to give Mazza Recycling the first-ever Bronze MRF Glass Certification,” says Carlos Batista, MRF plant manager at Mazza Recycling. “We couldn’t be more proud of the work we do here to further our mission of working towards a greener tomorrow.”

Launched in the fall of 2019, the GRC MRF Glass Certification program has awarded 13 certifications to MRFs, one bronze, two silver and ten gold. In 2021, the glass certification criteria were updated to prioritize end market consistency and more thorough glass cleaning before beneficiations. 

The coalition says eligible applications are judged on current infrastructure and a glass purity measure aligning with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries’ three-mix specification. An independent committee scores certification levels into gold, silver and bronze certifications.

GRC’s website currently hosts an interactive map showing MRFs, glass processors and end markets across the country. GRC certified MRFs are noted on this map, along with public recognition of this certification.