Community News
City of Alexandria to Host Opening Ceremony for New Glass Recycling Bin
The City of Alexandria is part of Northern Virginia's regional partnership for purple glass recycling bins with five locations in the city.
Alexandria, VA – The City of Alexandria invites the public to attend an opening ceremony for the newly installed purple glass-only bin at MOM’s Organics Market (3831 Mt. Vernon Ave.) on Saturday, January 25, at 8:30 a.m. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and an overview of the City’s glass recovery program. The ceremony will occur rain or shine.
The Purple Glass Bin Project, approved by City Council in 2019 as part of the WasteSmart Strategic Plan, involves a regional partnership with Fairfax County to improve the recyclability of glass containers. Since the launch of this program in May 2019, the City has collected more than 230 tons of glass. Glass collected has been sent to a Fairfax County facility where it is processed and then recycled into new glass, as well as crushed into sand and gravel. These aggregate materials are being used locally for public works projects.
“Alexandria is committed to ecological, economic, and social sustainability,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “Our work with the new purple bin program will save the City money, ensure that our glass is recycled and foster a new public/private partnership.”
The addition of the bin comes after the announcement of the City’s decision to remove glass, which has historically been difficult to recycle, from curbside recycling. To expand glass drop-off coverage, the City reached out to grocery stores in Alexandria, seeking partners who would sponsor a purple glass drop-off bin. MOM’s Organic Market responded and sent in a proposal, and the City finalized its partnership with the organic grocery store in November.
“MOM’s purpose is to protect and restore the environment,” said Scott Nash, Founder and CEO of MOM’s Organic Market. “We are proud to partner with the City of Alexandria to make glass recycling available to all residents.”
Glass drop-off recycling locations in the City of Alexandria are located at:
- S. Whiting St. (at the end of S. Whiting St., intersecting at Tower Ct.)
- 3224 Colvin St.
- 4251 Eisenhower Ave.
- Jones Point Park (at the end of S. Royal St.)
- MOM’s Organic Market (3831 Mt. Vernon Ave.)
The City of Alexandria is part of Northern Virginia’s regional partnership for purple glass recycling bins.
For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Recycling
