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BOISE'S LOCAL GLASS RECYCLING

Environmental Abrasives partners with the City of Boise and their Curb It Program taking in all of Boise's recycled glass and giving it second purpose by processing it into sandblasting abrasives.
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WHY IS RECYCLING GLASS SO CRUCIAL?

Glass is one of the most challenging materials to dispose of because it is non-biodegradable. However, it is also one of the easiest materials to repurpose. Recycling glass is essential to prevent it from filling up landfills, where it occupies significant space without breaking down. This not only saves valuable landfill space but also reduces the environmental impact of waste accumulation.​

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At Environmental Abrasives, we address this issue by processing recycled glass locally, rather than shipping it elsewhere, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient solution. By keeping the recycling process close to home, we contribute to a cleaner, greener Boise, while reducing the environmental footprint associated with long-distance waste transportation.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR RECYCLED GLASS?

What happens to glass?
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Final Product

The glass recycling process at Environmental Abrasives involves two crucial crushing stages to ensure that the material is safely and efficiently repurposed into high-quality sandblasting abrasives.

The first stage, known as primary crushing, begins with full glass bottles that are sourced from the primary pile. During this stage, any lids, caps, corks, and paper are removed and separated through our advanced screening equipment. Once the glass is processed, it is transferred to the secondary pile, where it will await its second round of crushing.

The secondary crushing process begins when the semi-crushed glass is moved to our main plant. Here, the glass undergoes a second round of crushing before being sent to a specialized machine called the Barmac. The Barmac works by rapidly flinging the glass, effectively smoothing out any sharp edges to ensure the final product is safe to handle. After passing through the Barmac, the glass is screened again. If any glass does not meet the necessary criteria, it returns to the secondary crushing process to be reprocessed.

In the final stages, the glass is placed into a furnace, where any remaining residue or paper is burned off. Once the glass is fully processed, it is sorted into various grit sizes and packaged into large 3,000-pound supersacks or 50-pound bags. These bags are then sold primarily to sandblasting companies, completing the cycle of recycling and repurposing glass into valuable abrasives.

VIDEOS: RECYCLED BOTTLES TO ABRASIVE SANDBLAST MEDIA

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WHAT CAN OR CAN'T BE RECYCLED?

Window Glass (Float glass, anneal glass, heat strengthen glass, tempered glass)

Fine Glassware (Lead-free crystal)

Bottle Glass (Soda-lime glass)

Broken Glass

Glass Jars

Lead Crystal Glass (Ornaments, optical lenses)
Laminated Glass (Automobile windows)

Ceramic Tableware

Electronic Glass

Wired Glass

Mirrors

YES

NO

Glass does not need to be 100% clean to be recycled; a light rinse is sufficient. However, it’s important to ensure that all lids, caps, corks, and any other trash are removed before recycling. Failing to do so can result in contaminants entering the facility, which may damage our heavy-duty machinery over time. Properly preparing your glass for recycling helps us maintain efficient operations and ensures a smoother recycling process.

What can be recycled

WHERE CAN YOU RECYCLE GLASS IN BOISE?

Where can you recycle?

Currently, there are 11 locations throughout the city of Boise where you can recycle glass for free. Since many of these sites are near residential areas, we kindly ask that all glass recycling be completed before 10:00 p.m. to minimize disruptions during late-night hours.

For those interested in residential glass recycling, a 65-gallon bin is available for just $8.19 per month, with pickups occurring once every four weeks. For more information, please visit the City of Boise’s Curb It website

(click logo to visit).​​

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LOCATION:

Albertsons (16th & State St)

Albertsons (Parkcenter Blvd)

Albertsons (Vista Ave)

Boise State University

Cole and Ustick Library

Country Club Plaza

East Boise (Old Penitentary)

Environmental Abrasives

Pacific Steel and Recycling

Republic Service (Boise)

Western Recycling

ADDRESS:

1650 W State St, Boise, ID 83702

1055 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise, ID 83706

1653 S Vista Ave, Boise, ID 83705

1350 S Earle St, Boise, ID 83706

7557 W Ustick Rd, Boise, ID 83704

4500 W Overland Rd, Boise, ID 83705

2420 E Old Penitentiary, Boise, ID 83712

4301 S Federal Way, Boise, ID 83716

5120 Emerald St, Boise, ID 83706

11101 W Executive Dr, Boise, ID 83713

1990 S Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83709

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(208) 947-1351

4301 S Federal Way, Boise, ID 83716, USA

Environmental Abrasives - Updated May 2025

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