Tacoma residents are being asked to help turn recycled glass into local art as part of a new pilot program.The City of Tacoma and Hilltop Artists launched “This
Tacoma residents are being asked to help turn recycled glass into local art as part of a new pilot program.
The City of Tacoma and Hilltop Artists launched “This Is What We Make of It,” a six-month initiative inviting people to drop off clear bottles and float glass, such as unframed windows and shelving, at the Tacoma Recycle Center on South Mullen Street.
Staff and students from Hilltop Artists will process the glass and use it for youth glass art and education programs.
According to organizers, the pilot will run through the end of February 2027 and is meant to test whether Tacoma can build a closed-loop system where waste glass becomes a local resource.
This partnership aims to connect recycling efforts with youth education, environmental stewardship and Tacoma’s creative economy.
Art created from the processed glass will be used for AMOCAT Arts Awards, hidden glass treasures around town and Hilltop Artists projects.
Hilltop Artists described this project as “a vision for a regional system that turns discarded glass into a sustainable resource for our studios and the broader industry.”
Anyone interested in supporting the effort can look for upcoming glass drop-off events and demonstrations, made possible through partnerships with the City of Tacoma and the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative.
