The USVI Glass Recovery project was funded through the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands through the Island Spirits Fund with additional funding support provided by The Ocean Conservancy. This project builds from marine debris research and citizen science efforts that have been coordinated throughout the USVI such as the annual Coastweeks and Great Mangrove Cleanups. Data from these efforts have identified beverage bottles (both plastic and glass) as being the most prevalent debris type found along our coastlines and mangrove shorelines. Using this data, this project aims to recycle glass beverage bottles by crushing them back into sand and glass cullets that will be used primarily for the purpose of filling sandbags and other industrial applications such as concrete and asphalt aggregate mixing.
Through the USVI Glass Recovery Program, we can collect glass beverage bottles which are then pulverized into sand and glass cullets (essentially gravel made from glass). Paper/plastic labels can be left on the glass beverage bottles; however, it is important to review our Glass Collection Guidelines as not every glass beverage botte can be accepted for crushing. Fill out our General Inquiry Form to volunteer or schedule a drop-off of your glass beverage bottles at our UVI location.
Using machinery purchased from Expleco.com, our team pulverizes collected glass beverage bottles. During the crushing process, personal protective equipment (PPE) is always utilized to include ear muffs, safety eyewear, and respirators. Once glass beverage bottles meet the criteria for crushing, each bottle can be crushed in as little as 3 seconds.
In this photo, you can see a combination of recycled crushed glass sand and cullets. This mixture is safe to touch without gloves; however, care should be excerised to wash your hands after touching. This mixture can be utilized for a myriad of purposes which you can read more about in the Solid Waste Integration Management Plan.
University of the Virgin Islands - E-mail howard.forbes@uvi.edu to coordinate. GLASS COLLECTIONS ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
Red Hook Plaza with Rotary Eco - E-mail dougkwhite@gmail.com to coordinate.
Mandahl Bay with Camp Umoja - E-mail mswallacefrancis@yahoo.com to coordinate.
Anna's Hope with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Drop-off of glass still pending.
Phone | Social Media | |
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340-693-1674 | howard.forbes@uvi.edu |