Centre County Recycling earned gold-level material recovery facility (MRF) glass certification for its multi-stream collection program and Mazza Recycling Services received the first bronze-level certification by the Glass Recycling Coalition (GRC) . The GRC’s free MRF Glass Certification Program has recognized more than ten MRFs that have additional equipment and/or operational procedures to clean up glass recycling in both single, dual, and now, multi-stream systems.
Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority (CCRRA), located in Bellefonte, Penn., is the first MRF to be awarded a Gold MRF Glass Certification in Pennsylvania and the first multi-stream 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,” boasts Joanne Shafer, deputy executive director of the CCRRA. “The glass container industry in Pennsylvania is still vibrant and employs many in our Commonwealth.”
Tinton Falls, N.J. based Mazza Recycling Services built their MRF in 2020, processing single-stream recyclables at 40 tons per hour. The facility features the 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,” said Carlos Batista, MRF plant manager. “We couldn’t be more proud of the work we do here, in order to further our mission of working towards a greener tomorrow,” said Batista.
Mazza Recycling has also received accolades from the National Waste and Recycling Association as the shared recipient of the 2021 Recycling Facility of the Year. Launched in the Fall of 2019, the GRC MRF Glass Certification program has since awarded 13 certifications, one bronze, two silver and ten gold. In 2021, the glass certification criteria was updated to prioritize end market consistency and more thorough glass cleaning before beneficiations. Eligible applications are judged on current infrastructure and a glass purity measure aligning with ISRIs Three-Mix Specification. An independent committee scores certification levels into gold, silver, and bronze certifications. MRFs holding this certification will have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
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.