The Law: Under Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law, glass food and beverage containers are strictly banned from the landfill. Recycling these items is mandatory for all residents, businesses, and institutions.

Why the Ban? Glass is 100% recyclable and never loses its quality. When it goes into a landfill, it takes up space forever; when it is recycled, it can be back on a store shelf as a new jar in as little as 30 days.

Where to Take Them:

  • SWAC Town Transfer Stations: Glass is accepted at all Alliance transfer stations as part of your standard recycling collections.

  • Gleason Road Transfer Station: 14 Gleason Rd, Rutland | (802) 775-7209.

    • As of 2026, no permit is required to use this facility, though standard recycling fees apply. Please check for current fees before arrival.

⚠️ Public Safety Alert: The “Wrong” Glass Ruins the Batch

Because recycling is mandatory, we must ensure the right glass is being collected. Mixing in “non-bottle” glass can ruin an entire load of recycling. These items belong in the trash, not the blue bin:

  • Kitchenware: Pyrex, CorningWare, and ceramic baking dishes.

  • Home Glass: Window panes, mirrors, and picture frame glass.

  • Dining Glass: Coffee mugs, ceramic plates, drinking glasses, and crystal.

  • Light Bulbs: These contain metal and sometimes mercury (see Section 9 for bulb disposal).

💡 Tips and Tricks

  • The “Clean-ish” Rule: You don’t need to scrub jars until they shine. A quick rinse to remove food chunks is plenty. This prevents odors and keeps the collection bins from attracting bees and bears.

  • Leave the Labels: There is no need to peel off paper or plastic labels; they burn off during the smelting process.

  • The Lid Logic: * Metal Lids: Remove them. If they are larger than 2 inches (like a pasta jar lid), put them in your recycling bin. If they are tiny (like a beer bottle cap), put them in the Scrap Metal bin.

    • Plastic Lids: Remove these and put them in the trash.

  • Broken Glass Safety: If a jar breaks at home, please do not put the shards in the recycling bin—it is a major safety hazard for our workers. Wrap the broken pieces in several layers of newspaper or a paper bag, tape it shut, and put it in your regular trash.