The Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control on behalf of the Department of Environmental Quality presented a glass‑recycling study to the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee called for under HB 177. The study found curbside and drop‑off glass collection are concentrated along the Wasatch Front while most rural counties lack services because transporting glass to processors is costly.

Stevie Norcross, assistant director, presented four policy options: consider the state’s inland port freight system to move glass from rural areas back to recycling centers; increase the number of accessible drop‑off locations (for example, co‑locating bins at liquor stores); require recycling considerations in scope of work for state demolition and remodeling projects; and prioritize recycled‑glass materials in state construction contracts to broaden markets beyond fiberglass manufacturing.

Norcross said Utah currently benefits from an in‑state glass recycler (Momentum Recycling in Salt Lake City) and a regional end user (Owens Corning in Nephi) but that markets can shift and creating demand for alternative end uses (asphalt, filtration media, landscaping materials) would improve resilience. The division recommended prioritizing consideration of recycled glass in state projects as the most readily implementable first step.

Committee members raised concerns about rural collection costs and distribution of financial responsibility; Senator Owens suggested coordinating with the bill sponsor, Representative Welton, to pursue legislative next steps. The committee asked agency staff to engage partner agencies and stakeholders before any bill filing.