For the last four years, Dave Fischlowitz has partnered with local nonprofits to collect glass bottles and jars from individuals and businesses. Through his business, Flathead Recon Glass Recycling, Fischlowitz has collected roughly 10,000 pounds of glass a week, pulverized it and converted it into landscaping material.

Earlier this year, however, Fischlowitz’s landlord sold the industrial property where he operated his glass pulverizer in Columbia Falls and he had to put the business on hiatus. Without the valley’s only glass recycling option, 10,000 pounds of glass is funneling into the landfill each week.

By Micah Drew