The Glass Recycling Foundation (GRF) recognized Rumpke Waste & Recycling’s Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio facilities for their efforts to successfully capture, clean and produce high-quality glass for use in the manufacturing of new bottles and products.
The three state-of-the-art recycling facilities all received Gold level status, the highest designation within the Glass Recycling Foundation’s Certification Program. Only five recycling facilities in the nation earned this status.
Across the U.S., only about one-third of glass is recycled, largely because of contamination and processing challenges. GRF’s Certification Program addresses that gap by recognizing and elevating recycling facilities that are getting glass recycling right.
“These facilities prove that better glass recycling is possible today,” said Scott DeFife, GRF board president. “With the right systems, more glass stays in the recycling loop, and our goal is to scale that success across the country.”
Through an independent review, GRF evaluates facilities on how effectively they capture and clean glass and whether the material is suitable for use in new products. Those that meet the highest standards earn Gold level certification. Rumpke demonstrated leadership by maintaining high standards across multiple locations.
“This recognition reflects Rumpke’s commitment to recycling and ensuring the efforts made by our customers to reduce waste are fulfilled,” said Bill Rumpke Jr., president and chief executive officer. “As a recycling leader, Rumpke takes great pride in being one of the first waste companies to develop a glass recycling process, and we continue to invest in this process so we can recover even more glass and feed our regional end markets for years to come.”
In 2025, Rumpke recycled more than 1.4 billion pounds of material across its network of recycling facilities. Glass made up nearly 10 percent of the material. Rumpke partners with Midwest end users to convert glass into new glass bottles and jars as well as fiberglass insulation.
Published July 2026
