Anyone familiar with the GlassEco product line knows that recycled glass is a key component in the mix for our custom countertops and other hard surfaces. What you may not know is our interesting story that dates back almost 30 years ago. Chris and Elizabeth Fisher founded GlassEco in 2005, and our unique product line was inspired by their family's other business. Chris started Fisher Recycling in 1992 as a humble one-person operation collecting recyclable goods (office paper, cardboard and glass) from several Charleston restaurants and offices at the request of the business owners. An “ecopreneur” in the making, he was performing a job that restaurant owners and office managers simply didn’t have time to accomplish – collecting and disposing their recyclable waste. As the company grew, the Fisher family became especially passionate about glass recycling and decided that was how they were going to make a difference in the Lowcountry. Chris and Elizabeth's philosophy and purpose is to educate and serve the community’s glass recycling needs.
Chris and Elizabeth Fisher with their son Alex
Completing the Glass Recycling Loop
Did you know that most of the glass that people think they are recycling at work and home actually ends up going into landfills? This is growing problem for the environment, and the Fishers are on a mission to divert as much glass as they can in the area. Fisher is the only waste hauler who is actually recycling commercial and residential glass from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties. To date, they have collected over 8 million pounds of glass thanks to local businesses that are making social corporate responsibility a priority. Even better, the Fisher family is successfully completing the glass recycling loop in a couple of ways. Much of the glass collected is processed and reused it in GlassEco's product line. Excess glass is then hauled to a glass recycling plant in Beaufort, South Carolina, to give the glass new life in other ways.
Commercial & Residential Glass Recycling
23% of commercial waste is glass, and that percentage is even higher locally with the many bottles discarded from restaurants and hotels. So, it truly does make a difference when local companies partner with Fisher Recycling. They perform a complimentary waste audit to help develop the best, most cost-effective recycling solution for businesses. Companies can even sponsor community drop sites or host a fun pop-up event for residential glass to make an even bigger impact and gain recognition for their commitment to glass recycling.
“Unfortunately, many restaurants and hotels don’t realize that glass being put in a “blue bin” is not truly recycled and is instead taken to a landfill. We want to divert this glass for our community and give it new life in other products.
It does make a difference!”
Until now, it has been difficult for residents in the tri-county area to keep their glass out of the landfill. Thanks to Fisher Recycling's corporate partners like Firefly Distillery and Indigo Reef Brewing Company, we have drop sites and pop-up events for people to drop off their glass bottles (any color), jars (no lids) and shelving. Tempered glass, some shelving and lightbulbs are not accepted. For a list of current residential drop sites in the Lowcountry, click here.
“Chris and I have been passionate about glass recycling for years, and we love partnering with local businesses to create a bigger impact. It all starts with education about what’s really happening with glass and why it’s ending up in landfills.”
A Love for Innovation
The Fisher family loves to innovate and push glass recycling and post-recycling products to the next level. GlassEco Surfaces has a been a great way for them to do just that. Elizabeth loves being creative and is always up for a challenge if a client wants something unique. Adding oyster shells to a custom mix is an easy way to change up our product and get a distinctive coastal look. The design possibilities are limitless, so we encourage our clients to think outside the box. GlassEco Surfaces are a popular countertop choice for kitchens and baths, but there are so many other applications like fireplace surrounds, tabletops, floor tiles, shower surrounds… even a Lazy Susan! Get creative with shapes, base colors or embedding items of meaning.
Since we’re always striving to deliver our very best product, we recently invested in a fancy polisher from Italy which we affectionately call “Mr. X”. The machine makes our process even more efficient, and the shine is stunning. See it in action!
Complimentary Design Consultation
We would love to help you design a custom GlassEco Surface that incorporates the variety of beautiful glass recycled by Fisher Recycling. To learn more about our materials and product sustainability, visit our products page or contact us directly to schedule a complimentary design consultation.