
Cynthia Andela
Founder and CEO, Andela Products and Ruby Lake Glass
About Cynthia
Education
- RPI Lally School of Management, MBA Business Management
- University of Michigan College of Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering
- Calvin University, Bachelor of Science
Career Highlights
- Andela Products, Founder and CEO
- Ruby Lake Glass, Founder and Managing Partner
- General Electric, Industrial Engineer to Product Line Production Manager
University Associations
- Temple University, Olin Studies
- Cornell University, Study Adviser
- Alfred University, Advisory Panel, DEC Study on end uses for Pulverized Glass
- Colgate University, Glass Sand/Plant Growth Studies
- SUNY Cobleskill, Glass Sand/Plant Growth Initiative
Community Involvement
- Rotary International
- Chamber of Commerce
- Community Foundation of Otsego County
- Richfield Springs Community Center
- Trinity CRC Church
- Canadarago Lake Improvement Association
- Otsego County Conservation Association
AKA “The Glass Lady”
Hi, I'm Cynthia Andela, an expert in the glass recycling industry, specifically in the various uses of waste glass recycled back into sand.
When people ask me, "What do you do?" I say, "I manufacture machines and systems that recycle glass back into sand." It’s a straightforward yet powerful concept. After all, isn't glass made from sand?
To help potential customers identify their local uses for recycled glass sand, I explain how recycled pulverized glass makes an excellent alternative to crystalline silica sand and is often a better option, due to its amorphous silica structure.
Just ask me, "What can glass sand be used for?" And I’ll give you a fascinating and comprehensive education. This is why I am affectionately known as "The Glass Lady."
Articles and Interviews
FAST COMPANY, This Simple Machine Turns Glass Bottles Into Sand
WASTE 360, A Kick In The Glass Or Potential Profit? Cost Benefit of Recycling Glass
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, Turning Wine Bottles Back Into Sand
Beth Milano, IoT Solutions Consultant , Cynthia Andela CHANGE AGENT
Podcasts & Videos
CNY Business Journal Interview
CNYBJ conducts a short interview with Cynthia to give a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of a business passionate about environmental change.
The Frictionless Supply Chain Podcast
CNYBJ conducts a short interview with Cynthia to give a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of a business passionate about environmental change.
Insights to Circularity on Glass Recycling
Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center conducts an hour-long interview with Cynthia and her unique technology for processing glass and provides creative solutions for all types of scrap glass reduction and separation.
The WAM Podcast
Cynthia Andela talks about striking out on her own to become an entrepreneur and leaving the comfort of her corporate career, how she was able to find a specific niche in glass recycling and processing, and the machinery her company designs and why Andela chose to keep their manufacturing entirely based in America.