The Glass Recycling Foundation (GRF) has recertified five materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in Ohio and Texas to Gold status.
The GRF awards Gold, the highest designation in its MRF Certification Program, to facilities that successfully capture, clean, and produce high-quality glass that is used to make new bottles.
Only one-third of glass is recycled across the US, mainly due to contamination and processing issues. GRF’s MRF Certification Program aims to improve recycling systems by recognising facilities meeting the industry’s highest standards.
Scott DeFife, GRF Board President, said: "These facilities prove that better glass recycling is possible today.
"With the right systems, more glass stays in the recycling loop, and our goal is to scale that success across the country."
Three Rumpke Waste and Recycling facilities, located in Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton in Ohio, achieved recertification.
Jeff Snyder, senior vice president of recycling and sustainability at Rumpke, said: "Achieving Gold certification across multiple facilities reflects the consistency and focus that Rumpke has built into our operations.
"As a national recycling leader, and one of the first waste haulers to develop a glass recycling process, we remain committed to investing in processes and technology that allow us to recover more glass and deliver a cleaner product to end markets."
Two FCC Environmental facilities, based in Houston and Dallas in Texas, also achieved Gold-level.
Andrea Rodriquez-Pinero, vice president of engineering and post-collections at FCC, said: "FCC is honored to have renewed our Gold Certification, recognising the high quality of glass produced at our facilities.
"We incorporate glass recovery systems into our MRF designs to maximise landfill diversion, and glass remains a highly valuable material that can be recycled infinitely without compromising quality."
Both Rumpke and FCC were evaluated on the effectiveness of their glass capturing, cleaning, and ability to be re-used in new products, and maintained high standards across multiple locations.
Certified MRFs gain industry visibility, credibility with end markets, and added value when competing for municipal contracts.
The MRF Certification Program also provides grants to help facilities upgrade equipment and improve glass recovery.
The next grant cycle opens May 11, 2026.
MRFs interested in learning more about certification or applying for upcoming grants can visit: www.glassrecycles.org/industry-tools-1/mrf-glass-certification.
