The ones in Lane County, Oregon were pitched into the dump until the Aurora Glass Foundry opened its doors in 1997. A division of the Lane County St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Foundry converts clear broken glass into sparkling ornaments and home accessories.
All profits go to help homeless and low-income people in Oregon.
Although this young company uses one to two tons of glass a month, glass designer Patti Lomont isn't worried about running out of raw materials. There is more than we can use. When the clear glass arrives, it is crushed fine. Chemicals are then added to it to produce color.