GLASS RECYCLING FOR WATERSHED HEALTH
Why recycle?
Benefits of Recycling Glass
In our everyday life we use products made out of glass such as pickle, jam and honey jars, pop bottles, syrup bottles, ketchup or even beer and wine bottles. Once the product is utilized, these bottles and jars end up in our trash cans and then ultimately to landfills. Some of these may even find their way to waterbodies and disrupt the ecosystem. Thus, instead of burdening our environment, recycling these products into other reuseable products aids not only in preventing pollution of our streams and oceans, but it also motivates to create artworks. ECU has its glass recycling program where they recycle glass and create concrete pavers, landscaping fill, and even art materials
Recycle today for a better tomorrow.
How it Began
Partners who share similar vision
ECU's Glass Recycling program was born when Dr. Christine Pappas pitched the idea of recycling glass to replace sand. As Oklahoma's aquifers, especially the only sole source aquifer of the state i.e. Arbuckle-Simpson is getting threatened by sand mining operations; using crushed glass as an alternative creates a path for sustainable resource management and long-term environmental conservation. Ada Sunrise Rotary Club purchased the glass grinder, and the program is supported by a grant, written jointly by East Central University and the Oka' Institute from Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (OKDEQ). The Watershed Movement operates the project as of July 01, 2026. The grant is funded by OKDEQ through June 30, 2027.
What we do
First Step
Glass Collection
Second Step
Crushing the glass with glass grinder.
Third Step
Mix with cement
Fourth Step
Put in molds to create pavers.
Collected glass are first crushed into fine particles with the help of glass grinder and later is mixed with cement to create beautiful stone pavers.
💡 Spread the word – Encourage businesses and residents to participate in glass collection. 💡 Support our initiative – Help fund additional equipment and community events.