Glass Recycling Services Announced For City of Cortland Residents

City of Cortland residents will now have an opportunity to opt-in to a glass collection service by the city. The new supplemental recycling program for glass items will take place on the third Friday of each month. Participation in the program is 100% voluntary and will require an initial $20 fee. The fee includes a one-time $13 charge for the cost of the glass collection bin residents will receive and then a $7 collection fee which will cover the remainder of this year.

Residents may opt-in to the program through the Department of Public Works. If residents are not interested in joining the program, they still have the option to drop off their glass recycling at the County Recycling Center themselves. Rules for the collection will be similar to those of the trash/recycling program with residents placing the tote curbside. 

The current recycling system the county has is a single-stream, which Mayor Steve noted he wished more was recycled than what is currently. The Cortland County Recycling Center currently requires the separation of glass from other recyclables and requires glass to be directly brought into the facility, not mixed with other recyclable materials. 

The City of Cortland Board of Public Works made the recommendation of the program to the Common Council with DPW Superintendent Weise proposing a supplemental recycling program. Following the DPW Superintendents proposal, the Trash and Recycling Ad Hoc Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended the implementation of the program.

Residents have the option to enroll at any time, but must be two-weeks prior to the next monthly pickup. The glass recycling program from the city is expected to begin on May 16th. Residents may contact the DPW by calling (607) 756-6221 between the hours of 7am and 3pm to sign up or if they have further questions.