Mobile County Launches Innovative Glass Recycling Program; Eliminates Need for Color Sorting
Posted on: Feb 25th, 2026 | AnnouncementsFeatured NewsPress Releases
MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. — Mobile County has overhauled its glass recycling operations with the installation of a high-capacity pulverizer system at the Mobile County Recycling Center. Funded by a $200,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), the new equipment allows Mobile County to process more than 500,000 pounds of glass annually on-site, eliminating the need to ship material out of state.
The upgrade introduces a "single-stream" collection process that removes a long-standing hurdle for residents: color sorting. Effective immediately, clear, green and amber glass can be deposited together in a single bin. The pulverizer transforms bottles and jars into rounded, safe-to-touch sand and aggregate to be repurposed for county infrastructure, including walking trails, pipe bedding and landscaping.
"By processing this material locally, we are closing the loop on waste," said Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson, who spearheaded the center's development. "We’ve taken the logistical challenge of shipping glass and turned it into a sustainable solution that provides us with free, high-quality aggregate for our own county use."
The ADEM grant also funded critical site improvements, including a new concrete pad, loading hoppers and specialized forklift pavement to handle the increased volume. While municipalities do not currently accept glass for recycling, the Mobile County Recycling Center — owned by the Mobile County Commission and managed by Goodwill Gulf Coast — serves as the primary regional hub for glass recovery.
"This system allows us to handle nearly a ton of glass every hour, which will help to extend the life of our local landfills," said Tina Sanchez, director of Mobile County Department of Environmental Services. "It changes the math of recycling in Mobile County, making it more efficient for Recycling Center employees and much easier for our residents to participate."
The pulverizing operation will eventually be included in public tours, further promoting the Commission’s goals of community education and providing job training for persons with disabilities.