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.