A new initiative in the Finger Lakes wine region aims to cut down on landfill waste and promote sustainability. The FLX Craft Beverage Environmental Coalition has partnered with Casella Waste Systems to introduce roll-off “wine glass only” dumpsters, a move that could prevent hundreds of thousands of used wine bottles from being discarded in landfills.
“By extending the life of this highly recyclable material, the Finger Lakes wine industry is moving a step closer to meeting its sustainability goals as they relate to materials management,” said Vinny Aliperti, FLX CBEC’s secretary and co-founder. “Until NYS offers a better solution, it is incumbent for our industry to take responsibility and find answers that will benefit the environment.”
The program is designed for winery customers, allowing them to collect mixed-colored glass, including bottles with labels and neck collars, at no rental cost. The materials will then be transported to the TOMRA recycling plant in Farmington, where they will be upcycled into new products.
FLX CBEC, a 501(c)(4) organization, is committed to advocating for environmental sustainability within the craft beverage industry. Interested wineries can contact Andrew Holloway at Casella Waste Systems for hauling quotes and program details.
For more information, inquiries can be directed to [email protected], or visit FLXCBEC.com.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].