FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WOAY) – Recycling glass in Fayette County has been a challenge for years, as there is no local facility to process it. That means bottles and jars often end up in landfills.
Bud’s Recycling Co-op, a curbside recycling service launched just a year ago, wants to change that. The group has been recommended for a $69,000 West Virginia DEP REAP grant to fund a glass crusher that makes sand and has numerous uses.
Chris Sefkin, Co-Founder of Bud’s Recycling Co-op, said, “Glass is one of the most easily recyclable materials. It’s super heavy. It takes up a ton of space in the landfill, and there are uses for sand.”
Other West Virginia towns, like Shepherdstown, already process glass locally and put the sand to good use.
“So in Shepherdstown, the university there processes glass for the whole area, and it can be turned back into traction sand for the road. It can be utilized for art projects. Community members can come take it, use it for whatever projects they have. It can be used in playgrounds, and it can be sold to construction companies. There’s really endless uses,” Sefkin explained.
On Thursday, December 4 at 6 PM, Bud’s will pitch a 90-day pilot program to Fayetteville’s Town Council. The proposal would use a bay at the old Recycling Center off Gatewood Road, running the crusher once a week with trained volunteers. The town would only cover electricity costs, while Bud’s would handle processing, safety, and cleanup.
“You know honestly, I think the first step is just getting we need a place to put the sand the glass crusher it right now, we’re trying to work with the town, and hopefully utilize some spare space that they have at the old recycling facility off of Gatewood. And you know, if all goes well, yes, expansion is always ideal,” Sefkin said.
The pilot program meeting will take place at Fayetteville Town Hall on Thursday, December 4th, at 6pm. It is open to the public, and anyone interested in glass recycling is encouraged to attend.
