Shelby Kaye has built Broken Arrow Glass Recycling into a cash-positive, eco-friendly business that turns waste glass into artistic household products, and into finely-processed raw material for decorative landscaping and other purposes. The company — which Kaye launched in 2020 in Cuyamungue, north of Santa Fe — collects glass that would otherwise head to landfills from commercial establishments, and from residents through curbside pickup services in Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Taos. But despite the startup’s financial stability, Kaye needs more glass-recycling machinery and equipment to grow her business, plus additional staff beyond the one employee who works with her as operations manager.
As a woman-owned, eco-friendly, creative startup that’s built an innovative approach to improve the environment and to address an over-looked community need, Broken Arrow could be a prime candidate for funding from the newly-formed investment firm Skoden Ventures. Kaye graduated from one of Creative Startups’ business-training bootcamps last year, and she’s now discussing potential support with Skoden staff.
“I just bought a used glass grinder that can crush up to one ton of glass per hour, but I need more equipment and machinery to scale the business,” Kaye told the Journal. “And right now, it’s just me and the operations manager doing all the curbside collection and running the factory. That’s why I’m seeking investment capital to grow.” In just three years of operation, Kaye has already achieved significant community recognition, winning the 2022 Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award.