Turning waste glass into art

By Kevin Robinson-Avila

Shelby Kaye has built Broken Arrow Glass Recycling into a cash-positive, eco-friendly business that turns waste glass into artistic household products, and into finely-processed raw material for decorative landscaping and other purposes.

The company — which Kaye launched in 2020 in Cuyamungue, north of Santa Fe — collects glass that would otherwise head to landfills from commercial establishments, and from residents through curbside pickup services in Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Taos. But despite the startup’s financial stability, Kaye needs more glass-recycling machinery and equipment to grow her business, plus additional staff beyond the one employee who works with her as operations manager.

As a woman-owned, eco-friendly, creative startup that’s built an innovative approach to improve the environment and to address an over-looked community need, Broken Arrow could be a prime candidate for funding from the newly-formed investment firm Skoden Ventures.

Kaye graduated from one of Creative Startups’ business-training bootcamps last year, and she’s now discussing potential support with Skoden staff.

“I just bought a used glass grinder that can crush up to one ton of glass per hour, but I need more equipment and machinery to scale the business,” Kaye told the Journal. “And right now, it’s just me and the operations manager doing all the curbside collection and running the factory. That’s why I’m seeking investment capital to grow.”

In just three years of operation, Kaye has already achieved significant community recognition, winning the 2022 Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award.

The company is also a New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program recipient, providing funds for Los Alamos National Laboratory to assist Broken Arrow in studying new uses for the raw material it produces, such as research on whether it could be applied to soil for native plants.

The recycled material is currently used for landscaping by individual homeowners and businesses, and for some decorative, institutional projects.

Under one contract, for example, Broken Arrow created a colorful, patterned landscape at the entranceway to the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art in Roswell. And, the Santa Fe Children’s Museum is now considering a similar project.

It can also be used to fill bags for erosion control, and to prevent flooding.

Apart from the raw material markets, Kaye also turns the recycled glass into artistic household products, including everything from vases, bowls and drinking glasses to candleholders and art deco terrazzo.

The company distinguishes itself as the only one currently collecting and recycling glass in Northern New Mexico.

“We’re the only one doing curbside pickup of waste glass and recycling it into useful products,” Kaye said. “We’re filling a need in the community and helping to solve an environmental problem, while also creating a business that’s now cash-flow positive.”