Zero Waste Silver Partner Reduces Waste in its Practices and its Packaging
Following the launch of the City’s new Zero Waste Partnership Program, the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet is sitting down with new Partners to discuss their goals and achievements in the Program.
A few weeks ago, we spoke with Rebecca Davies, co-owner of Remark Glass – an independent, female-owned and -operated glass blowing studio working out of the Bok Building in South Philadelphia.
Remark repurposes glass bottles to create everything from water glasses, to candle votives, to custom artwork. They create wholesale and keepsake pieces upon request using 100% reclaimed glass. Remark maintains strong relationships with bars and restaurants throughout Philadelphia to source glass bottles that would otherwise go into the recycling or trash bin; they collect and clean the bottles, then turn them into unique glass pieces you can’t find anywhere else. They’ll take your empty bottles, too! Glass bottles of any size, shape, and color can be dropped off at their Glass Library (Bok B08, Bok Building).
Remark Glass is the City’s very first Zero Waste Partner, and the first Partner to achieve Silver Status (70% waste diversion and achievement of 7/10 Zero Waste Actions). A Partner since January 2019, Remark Glass is well on its way to becoming a Gold Status Partner within the year (90% waste diversion, 9/10 Actions). We spoke with Rebecca about her vision for Zero Waste in Philadelphia and how she plans to collaborate within the Zero Waste Partnership Program.
What motivated you to join the Partnership Program?
The Zero Waste Partnership Program is a symbol of optimism when it comes to recycling and waste. Right now, there’s a lot of confusion about recycling, and it’s making people apathetic and unsure of how they can make a difference. Recycling is still helpful, but reducing and reusing waste is even better. Remark Glass’ mission is to make glass useful; this is our craft, and so we do it skillfully. We believe that glass isn’t waste, and we prove it by reworking the material to give it new life as timeless art and household pieces. We’ve always had this Zero Waste vision for glass, so joining the Partnership was an obvious step to solidify our commitment to reducing waste in the city.
What are your goals as a new Partner?
We want to remind people that waste is a massive, global problem, but that it’s also a local problem with local solutions. Small and independent businesses like us are taking steps every day to reduce and reuse would-be waste in Philadelphia – for us, it just happens to be a core element of our business model. We want to be part of a solution to waste and litter in Philadelphia, and that starts with being vocal and active advocates for Zero Waste in our community.
What are some Zero Waste Actions you’ve implemented or are working towards?
We’re paying even greater attention to our own habits within the studio. We’ve already had a fairly Zero Waste culture in our workplace, but now that we’re Partners, we’re extra motivated to find ways to reduce waste and stay accountable to our goals. Even if it’s as small as keeping reusable mugs in the office, we’re going to do it; but we’re also looking into bigger projects, like collecting compost. We’ve also started using reusable hand towels instead of paper, and it’s already put a huge dent in the amount of waste we send to the landfill.
In terms of our business operations, we’ve always tried to identify low- and Zero-Waste options in every area. For example, we’re constantly looking for new Zero Waste options for packaging our finished glass products. At one point, we used plastic grocery bags as a box stuffer to protect the glass, kind of like packing peanuts or bubble wrap. We have great relationships with our studio neighbors in the Bok Building, and many of them not only bring us glass bottles, but also their used cardboard boxes and other packaging materials. We’re continuing to look for recycled/reused packaging options and hope to use 100% upcycled packaging eventually.
Basically, our Zero Waste philosophy is: if there’s a buildup of waste in any area, we should try to find a way to minimize that stream. Any time we find a product that we aren’t currently using to its full potential, we self-audit and find a solution.
The Zero Waste Partnership Program is a new way for the City to collaborate with local businesses and organizations on achieving Zero Waste in Philadelphia. Partners take the extra step to report on their Zero Waste practices, including several Zero Waste Action Items and monthly waste diversion rates. Not only does this program encourage Zero Waste practices throughout the city, but it encourages knowledge sharing between the City and Zero Waste Partners: the Partnership will give the City access to additional waste diversion data and give Partners the opportunity to share their best practices with the City and influence future goals. Plus, Partners will earn special incentives for implementing Zero Waste practices, such as eligibility for the Sustainable Business Tax Credit, and exclusive marketing tools from the City.
Partners are added to an online directory of all Zero Waste Partners across Philadelphia. Recognition of Partners should not be construed to mean that the City of Philadelphia favors Partner businesses or organizations in any way or recommends patronage or tenancy at these properties over non-partner properties. Recognition, whether in the form of a directory, blog, or social media post by the City of Philadelphia, serves to promote the Zero Waste Partnership Program, not individual Partners.
Remark Glass co-owner Rebecca installs their Zero Waste Partner Silver seal
The Remark Glass “bottle library”, where community members can drop off their empty glass bottles for recycling and reuse
Remark Glass
Remark Glass repurposes used glass bottles to make new glassware and other products
Remark Glass displays its Zero Waste Silver Partner certificate next to it’s bottle library
Recycled glass drinking cups
Photos by Helena Rudoff