One of the most popular and convenient recycling methods is curbside collection from bins. Many waste management companies and public waste management services offer curbside recycling as part of their services. Some communities have single stream recycling bins, in which you may place all recyclable materials in one bin; then waste management sorts the various recyclables. Other communities offer bins specifically for glass. Glass typically doesn't have to be separated by color.
Many communities have drop-off centers for recycling glass and other materials, often as part of the waste collection plant. Most of these facilities ask recyclers to separate glass by color to allow high-quality glass to be recycled and manufactured into new glass bottles and jars more easily. Clear, brown, amber and green glass typically has the highest quality and is used for future bottles.
Container deposit programs, also known as "Bottle Bill" programs, are in place in many U.S. states. They typically require a minimum refundable deposit on containers to ensure high recycling rates. The program works as follows: A retailer buys glass-bottled beverages from a distributor and pays a deposit to the distributor for each bottle purchased. Then a consumer who buys a glass-bottled beverage pays the retailer as part of the purchase price, in essence paying back the retailer's deposit. The consumer returns the empty glass bottle to a redemption center or a vending machine and receives a refund.
Many grocery stores accept glass drop-offs for recycling, and some stores have programs for reverse vending machine drop-offs. The machine gives each customer a ticket refund for recycled material, and the ticket refund can be used in the store.