FCC Environmental Services Goes for the Gold in GRC MRF Glass Certification

ANN ARBOR, MI —The Glass Recycling Coalition (GRC) announced FCC Environmental Services as a recipient of a gold-level certification for two material recovery facilities (MRFs) based in Dallas and Houston, Texas. FCC Environmental Services becomes the first gold designation for MRFs without integrated glass beneficiation in the state of Texas and the eighth and ninth MRFs to hold this certification in the country. 

“As this certification grows, it is evident that more MRFs are seeing the value in offering processes and technology to clean up the glass,” said Scott DeFife, leadership from GRC. “Glass is a core recyclable and residents want to recycle it and end markets are eager for this material; this certification gives an advantage for MRFs willing to take extra steps.”

The free certification program recognizes MRFs with additional equipment and operational procedures to clean up glass in both single- and dual-stream systems, producing more marketable and higher-quality glass.

In 2016, the city of Houston announced the removal of glass from their single-stream curbside collection contract. Access to convenient glass recycling was a pivotal issue when looking for a new processing contract for recyclable materials received from more than 400,000 households. In 2018, the city signed a 15-year contract with an option for a five-year extension. FCC built a MRF that would bring commingled glass collection to its program.

“FCC Environmental Services proudly accepts these certifications as a testament to both of our state-of-the-art technology MRFs designed to produce quality materials,” said CEO Inigo Sanz. “Notably, we returned glass recycling to the city of Houston for the benefit of our community.”

The GRC MRF Glass Certification was launched in Fall 2019. In 2021, the glass certification criteria were updated to prioritize end market consistency and more thorough glass cleaning before beneficiations. Eligible applications are judged on current infrastructure and a glass purity measure aligning with ISRIs Three-Mix Specification. An independent committee scores certification levels into gold, silver, and bronze certifications. MRFs holding this certification will have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

GRC’s website currently hosts an interactive map showing MRFs, glass processors, and end markets across the country. GRC certified MRFs are noted on this map along with public recognition of this certification.
Learn more about the Glass Recycling Coalition and apply for MRF Glass Certification at www.glassrecycles.org.