About Remark
Remark Glass was established in 2016. Finding a home in the newly reopened Bok Building in South Philadelphia, our small team set out to change the course of glassblowing. Our passion for our craft has met our care for our environment, and we rise to the challenge of designing as much glass product from waste material as we can.
Our Mission
Our Zero Waste Process
Glass is infinitely recyclable. That means it can be remelted time and time again without losing quality. At Remark, we utilize every part of a bottle as it enters our shop.
Collection or drop off
Glass gets to Remark in many ways. Residents and local businesses recycle their glass through our sister organization, Bottle Underground, where bottles best fit for upcycling at Remark are removed from the waste stream and processed in our studio. Some customers who are looking for a custom product send us commemorative bottles from a special occasion.
Preparing for the Kiln
Bottles and jars ready for upcycling need to be delabled and cleaned. Depending on the final product intended, a bottle may be cut down to a new height before entering the kiln. Any part of the bottle not being used in the final piece is set aside in color sorted bins to be used at another time.
Heat Up and Reshape
Prepared pieces are placed in our kiln and heated to 1050 degrees fahrenheit – this is considered warm in glass – the temperature is stable and the glass is still in its solid state. From there, our team picks up the pieces, one at a time, on the end of a steel rod. The glass is rotated and heated in a 2000 degree reheating chamber, then tools are used at the bench to transform the material to its new shape.
Cool Down
Once the final shape is achieved, our team knocks the piece off the rod, stamps it with our logo, and carefully places it back into the kiln. At the end of the day, when all of the work is completed, this kiln is sent down to room temperature over the course of several hours.
Sustainability at Remark
We believe that all businesses should honor their staff and the planet as they build profit, and we hope to be a transparent example of what a local sustainable business can be.
Our People
Danielle Ruttenberg
Co-Founder
Rebecca Davies
Co-Founder
Mark Ellis
Co-Founder
Zaid Farid
Sustainability and Office Coordinator
Connor Winsom
Studio Apprentice
Our Network
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business
Rebecca Davies graduated from Philadelphia’s 2019 Cohort.
BOK
Our studio is part of the revitalization of the former Bok technical high school in South Philadelphia. The building now houses over 150 small businesses. Learn more about upcoming events and open studios here.
City of Philadelphia Zero Waste Partnership
Remark Glass is Philadelphia’s first zero waste certified business, and we’ve earned silver status by diverting at least 70% of the material our business processes from becoming landfill waste. Besides collecting tons of recycled glass bottles- we practice lowering our consumption, reusing when possible, and of course- recycling!
Sustainable Business Network
Remark Glass is a member of the Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia. We share and learn sustainable practices from some local businesses here.
Resource Exchange
You can find us listed on the Resource Exchange “Resource Map” if you’re looking to donate a bottle collection.
Circle of Aunts and Uncles
Judy Wicks and a group of advisors have come together to invest in growing local, sustainable businesses like ours.
WORC
WORC has supported us with economic development strategies and by connecting us with other local professionals that have given us guidance as we grew the business.
Address
1901 S 9th Street, B-08
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Call Us
267-909-9824
Email Us
info@remarkglass.com