A FORMER construction worker who set up a glass recycling business is hoping for a bright future after expanding into the manufacture of recycled glass furniture for pubs and clubs.
Gary Harland set up Glass Cycle in 2009 after spending around 16 years in the building trade, which he left after receiving an on-site injury in 2006.
After recognising the emergence of environmentally-friendly materials during his time as a builder, Harland hit on the idea of recycling glass bottles used by the region’s bars restaurants and clubs.
Using industrial glass crushers that can reduce the size of the waste, Harland was able to achieve a steady income, with a return rate of £22 for every tonne of glass recycled.
Changes to these rates last year saw Harland receive only £2.50 for every tonne of glass recycled, forcing him to look at others ways to make money.
After surfing the internet, he discovered a machine in the US that could create smooth pellets from waste glass, which could be used to create products, from counter tops to bespoke glass bottles.
He has now made different moulds for the hospitality industry and has sold a number of his unique Glassical creations to customers across the North East, including wine bottles for the Portofino Italian restaurant in Newcastle and a table top for the VIP area of Tup Tup Palace nightclub, also in Newcastle.
