Ryan Stansley, president, Jeff Stansley, chief executive officer and Branden Stansley vice president are leading Recycle Services’ continued growth as the family owned company expands its glass recycling network across the United States.
Founded in Sylvania, Ohio, in 2010, Recycle Services has grown into a significant player in the glass recycling industry.
Today, Recycle Services operates facilities in Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas. Supported by its own fleet of trucks, the company provides glass recycling and transportation services to customers nationwide.
Turning used glass into valuable raw material
Recycled glass remains a highly sought-after commodity among global glass manufacturers because cullet helps reduce both energy consumption and carbon emissions during the glass manufacturing process. However, transforming discarded glass into furnace-ready material requires extensive processing and contamination removal.
Recycle Services has developed an eight-step cleaning and sorting process designed to remove contaminants including paper, plastics, metals, ceramics and liquids. The company worked with engineering firms, including specialists in Austria, and collaborated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop its advanced recycling facility at its Ohio headquarters.
“This multimillion-dollar investment in a specialized glass recycling facility required us to make a strong commitment to sustainability,” said Jeff Stansley, vice president of sustainability and co-founder of Recycle Services.
Challenges of glass transportation
Glass presents a unique logistical challenge due to its weight. Transportation costs can significantly impact recycling economics, particularly when collection and processing facilities are located far from end users.
Recognizing this challenge, Recycle Services leveraged its expertise in industrial transportation and materials handling to create a residual -to-value solution for glass generators.
Beyond environmental benefits, Recycle Services emphasizes a “triple bottom line” approach focused on people, planet, and profit. The company employs more than 90 recycling professionals and supports a variety of community initiatives, including Avenues for Autism, Young Life and programs promoting environmental stewardship.
G.R.I.T. Initiative Strengthens glass collection
A key component of the company’s growth strategy is its Glass Recycling with Integrity & Transparency (G.R.I.T.) initiative, a program designed to increase glass recovery rates and strengthen the circular economy for glass packaging.
Launched in partnership with members of the Northwest Ohio Innovation Consortium (NOIC), the initiative expands collection opportunities through community drop-off locations, bars, restaurants, and municipal partnerships.
Company leaders say their goal remains clear: keeping valuable glass materials out of landfills and returning them to manufacturers for use in new products.
Published September 2026
