Glass Recycling Hub in Chihuahua Aims to Boost Sustainability

O-I Mexico, a leading glass bottle manufacturer, has partnered with SILICE, a glass recycling company, to launch a pioneering glass recycling hub in Chihuahua. This collaboration marks a significant step toward addressing the low glass recycling rates in Mexico, where only 12% of the 2.5Mt of glass waste is recycled, according to SEMARNAT.

The hub, inaugurated last July, is designed to transform the management of glass waste in the region. Chihuahua was chosen for its strategic location and significant potential for glass production. SILICE, founded in 2020 by Paulina Rascón and Ashly Hinojos, has been independently collecting 70 to 75t of glass per month. With the hub's launch, initial reception has surged to 200t monthly, with plans to reach 300t in the medium term and a maximum capacity of 900t.

"We believe this inauguration will help increase the visibility of our actions. We want the recycling chain and the community in Chihuahua to know that there are options to recycle glass and that they are being supported," said Eduardo Sanz, Coordinator of Cullet Procurement, O-I Mexico.

O-I Mexico is the first glass container company to have a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative. Meanwhile, SILICE operates over 80 collection centers across the city, including car washes, churches, institutes, restaurants, and bars. The partnership aims to make Chihuahua the leading state in glass recycling, setting the groundwork for similar hubs across Mexico. Additionally, the project contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12, which focuses on responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13, which addresses urgent action to combat climate change.

The hub not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also decreases energy consumption in the production of new glass, helping conserve natural resources by reducing the need for raw material extraction. The initiative is expected to generate jobs and promote a more resilient and sustainable economic model in the state and across the country in the long term.