Northeast Glass Recycling Data Highlights Opportunities to Increase Recovery and Circularity

Waste Advantage • July 2, 2026

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) has released the Northeast Flow of Glass Report, a regional analysis examining glass container generation, collection, recycling, disposal, policies, and end markets across the eleven Northeast states. Building on NERC’s previous research into glass recovery, processing, and end markets, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of how glass moves through the Northeast materials management system and identifies opportunities to strengthen glass recycling through policy, infrastructure investment, and market development.


Key Findings from the Northeast Flow of Glass Report

  • Vermont (79.9%) and Connecticut (77.0%) recycled the highest share of glass containers relative to total glass container waste generated.
  • Connecticut led the region in per capita glass collection at 65.8 pounds per resident.
  • New York collected the greatest total tonnage of glass containers for recycling at 281,065 tons annually.
  • Five Northeast states operate deposit return systems that include glass beverage containers.
  • All Northeast states provide residents access to curbside and/or drop-off recycling programs.
  • Reporting methodologies vary significantly among states, affecting direct comparisons of recycling performance.
  • Recycled glass supports multiple end markets, including new containers, fiberglass, concrete applications, and aggregate products.


“Glass is one of the few packaging materials that can be recycled repeatedly with minimal loss of quality,” said Megan Schulz-Fontes, Executive Director of NERC. “The data show that strong collection systems and supportive policies can significantly increase glass recovery and create valuable feedstock for manufacturers.”


Among the report’s key findings, Vermont and Connecticut achieved the highest rates of glass container recovery relative to total glass container waste generated, recycling an estimated 79.9% and 77.0%, respectively. Both states operate deposit return systems that include glass beverage containers and ranked among the region’s leaders in per capita glass collection.

“Glass bottles and jars have been banned from the trash in Vermont since 2015 and we have had a Bottle Bill since the 1970s,” said Matt Chapman, Director, Vermont DEC Waste Management and Prevention Division. “We’re glad to see that our glass container recovery rate reflects Vermonters’ commitment to recycling.”


The report found that New York collected the largest total tonnage of glass containers for recycling at more than 281,000 tons annually, followed by New Jersey at approximately 197,000 tons. The findings demonstrate that opportunities exist across the region to increase glass recovery through improved collection systems, stronger processing infrastructure, and continued end-market development.


The analysis also revealed substantial variation in state reporting methodologies, recycling requirements, and collection systems. While all Northeast states provide residents with access to curbside and/or drop-off recycling programs, collection models differ considerably. Five states operate deposit return systems, several offer source-separated glass drop-off programs, and Pennsylvania is the only state identified as providing source-separated curbside glass collection in select communities.


These differences present challenges when comparing data across states and highlight the need for continued efforts to improve reporting consistency and transparency. The report notes that recycled glass serves a growing number of end markets, including new glass containers, fiberglass insulation, pozzolan for concrete, foam glass aggregate, and other construction applications. Many of these markets require high-quality glass cullet with low contamination levels, making effective collection and processing systems essential.


Although glass is heavier than many alternative packaging materials and can be more transportation-intensive when moved long distances, increasing local and regional collection, cleaning, and processing capacity can improve environmental outcomes. Recycled glass can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing by replacing virgin raw materials and supporting a more circular economy.


The findings suggest that strategic investments in collection systems, processing infrastructure, and end-market development could increase glass recovery rates throughout the Northeast while supporting resource conservation, economic development, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.


The Northeast Flow of Glass Report was developed by NERC’s Glass Committee with support from state agencies, industry partners, and stakeholders across the region. The report examines consumer glass containers, including food and beverage bottles and jars, as well as non-food glass containers.


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Bethlehem First Selectman Provides Update on Disposal of Tires at Transfer Station

By Nancy Dzija Vaughan | Prime Publishers • August 12, 2026
BETHLEHEM – First Selectman Raymond Butkus provided an update to the Board of Selectmen last Tuesday that included an announcement regarding the disposal of tires at the transfer station. Mr. Butkus said the CT Tire Stewardship program has gone into effect, According to the Northeast Recycling Council website, “the Connecticut Tire Stewardship (CTS) is the nonprofit organization responsible for implementing Connecticut’s Tire Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. Working with municipal transfer stations, tire retailers, auto shops, car dealerships, and other collection partners, CTS helps ensure discarded tires are responsibly collected, recycled, and put to beneficial new uses.” The website goes on to state, “Approximately 3.5 million tires reach the end of their useful life in Connecticut each year. Through its statewide Roll Recycle Renew program, CTS provides residents with free tire recycling opportunities while giving municipalities a practical solution for managing scrap tires. By making responsible disposal more accessible, the program helps reduce illegal dumping, protect waterways and natural resources, and keep tires out of landfills.” Mr. Butkus said town residents will now be able to bring most tires to the town transfer at no cost. Tires will be accepted both on and off the rim. The exception is large tractor tires, tires for construction equipment, or excessively dirty tires. These tires will still ne accepted, however, there will be a fee for disposal. Mr. Butkus also reported that he held a meeting last week regarding the rewiring of the computer equipment at Town Hall. The project is expected to begin this week and will likely be completed by August 20. A new monitor has been located in the hallway of Town Hall. This monitor will be used to display a list of upcoming meetings along with announcements and photographs. Read on Prime Publishers .

NERC releases new policy guide to advance sustainable materials management

By Erin Finan | Recycling Today • August 12, 2026
The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) has released its 2026 Northeast States Policy Guide, a new regional resource that provides a comprehensive comparison of sustainable materials management policies across 11 states in the Northeastern U.S. “The guide serves as an excellent primer for state and industry stakeholders looking to learn about the various policy frameworks enacted across the Northeast and how they have been applied,” says NERC President Michael Nork, who also works as an environmental analyst for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Developed through a standardized survey of state government agencies, NERC says the guide serves as a practical reference for policymakers, municipal leaders, industry professionals and researchers looking to navigate and compare policies related to waste reduction, reuse, recycling and circular economy initiatives. The publication includes both regional policy analyses and detailed state profiles covering product bans, product stewardship (including extended producer responsibility), minimum postconsumer recycled content requirements, mandatory recycling laws and disposal bans. “This resource provides high-level insight into materials of interest that the Northeast has focused on managing for decades,” says Shannon McDonald, director at Maryland Department of the Environment in the Waste Diversion Division. “For a regulatory agency, specific resources that provide clear examples of replicable or considerable policy and management strategies are useful tools—having them in one place is even more valuable.” The guide compiles state-level data across Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont to highlight core regional policy trends, including: regional policy prevalence-- Regulatory frameworks are established across the region, with 10 of 11 states using product stewardship programs, 10 enforcing disposal bans and nine maintaining mandatory recycling laws; broadest state coverage -- Maine and Vermont regulate the widest variety of items in the region, 20 and 21, respectively, followed closely by New Jersey at 19 categories; top regulated materials -- Electronics are the most widely addressed material (regulated by 10 states), followed by mercury thermostats (9 states), tires (8 states), as well as paint, rechargeable batteries, beverage containers, fluorescent lighting, lead-acid batteries, mercury-added products and yard waste (7 states); funding and mechanism structures -- Among the region’s product stewardship programs, 47 percent are producer-funded, 15 percent rely on consumer point-of-sale eco-fees, 5 percent combine producer and consumer fees and 33 percent utilize alternative measures such as labeling, recyclability standards or disclosure requirements; and regulatory gaps and emerging opportunities -- Significant policy gaps exist in rapidly growing clean-energy waste streams. Currently, only one state addresses electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and zero states have statewide policy programs for solar panels. Unfilled coverage areas present opportunities for cross-state collaboration, policy alignment and regional innovation. By presenting data in a standardized format for each state, the guide enables stakeholders to easily compare regional policy approaches, identify coverage gaps and adapt regulatory models. “By standardizing how we measure product stewardship, PCR [postconsumer recyclables] mandates and disposal bans across all 11 states, this guide allows state leaders to quickly identify where their policies align with neighbors and where transferable models already exist,” says Mariane Medeiros, director of strategic engagement and sustainability programs at NERC. “With 10 of 11 states enforcing stewardship programs and disposal bans, the region has proven its ability to manage complex products. The next frontier is applying that same collaborative momentum to rapidly growing clean-energy waste streams like solar panels and EV batteries.” Read on Recycling Today.

NERC Releases New Northeast States Policy Guide to Advance Sustainable Materials Management Across the Region

By Mariane Medeiros • August 6, 2026
The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Northeast States Policy Guide , a new regional resource that provides a comprehensive comparison of sustainable materials management policies across eleven Northeast states. “The guide serves as an excellent primer for state and industry stakeholders looking to learn about the various policy frameworks enacted across the northeast and how they have been applied,” said NERC President, Michael Nork, Environmental Analyst, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Developed through a standardized survey of state government agencies, the guide serves as a practical reference for policymakers, municipal leaders, industry professionals, and researchers seeking to navigate and compare policies related to waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and circular economy initiatives. The publication includes both regional policy analyses and detailed state profiles covering product bans, product stewardship (including Extended Producer Responsibility), minimum post-consumer recycled content requirements, mandatory recycling laws, and disposal bans. “This resource provides high level insight into materials of interest that the Northeast has focused on managing for decades. For a regulatory agency, specific resources that provide clear examples of replicable or considerable policy and management strategies are useful tools--having them in one place is even more valuable,” said Shannon McDonald, Waste Diversion Division, Director at Maryland Department of the Environment. Key Findings The guide aggregates state-level data across Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont to highlight core regional policy trends: Regional Policy Prevalence: Regulatory frameworks are widely established across the region, with 10 of 11 states using product stewardship programs, 10 enforcing disposal bans, and 9 maintaining mandatory recycling laws. Broadest State Coverage: Maine and Vermont regulate the widest variety of items in the region, 20 and 21, respectively, distinct material categories through state policies, followed closely by New Jersey at 19 categories. Top Regulated Materials: Electronics are the most widely addressed material (regulated by 10 states), followed by mercury thermostats (9 states), tires (8 states), followed by paint, rechargeable batteries, beverage containers, fluorescent lighting, lead-acid batteries, mercury-added products and yard waste (7 states). Funding & Mechanism Structures: Among the region’s product stewardship programs, 47% are producer-funded, 15% rely on consumer point-of-sale eco-fees, 5% combine producer and consumer fees, and 33% utilize alternative measures such as labeling, recyclability standards, or disclosure requirements. Regulatory Gaps & Emerging Opportunities: Significant policy gaps exist in rapidly growing clean-energy waste streams. Currently, only 1 state addresses electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and zero states have statewide policy programs for solar panels. Unfilled coverage areas present distinct opportunities for cross-state collaboration, policy alignment, and regional innovation. By presenting data in a standardized format for each state, the guide enables stakeholders to easily compare regional policy approaches, identify coverage gaps, and adapt proven regulatory models. "By standardizing how we measure product stewardship, PCR mandates, and disposal bans across all eleven states, this guide allows state leaders to quickly identify where their policies align with neighbors and where transferrable models already exist," said Mariane Medeiros, Director of Strategic Engagement and Sustainability Programs at NERC. "With 10 of 11 states enforcing stewardship programs and disposal bans, the region has proven its ability to manage complex products. The next frontier is applying that same collaborative momentum to rapidly growing clean-energy waste streams like solar panels and EV batteries." Alyssa Eiklor, Board Member and Environmental Analyst at Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, cited: “The NERC Policy Guide provides a valuable comparison of the similarities and differences in how northeastern states use policies as a tool for waste management. It also serves as a convenient short cut for linking directly to the policies.” The full 2026 Northeast States Policy Guide is available for download at: https://www.nerc.org/state-policy-guide About NERC The Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) is a multi-state nonprofit organization committed to minimizing waste, conserving natural resources, and advancing a sustainable economy through collaboration and action. NERC's eleven member states and advisory members work together to address sustainable materials management challenges and promote solutions across the Northeast region.