- Glass Half Full is a New-Orleans based recycling company that turns glass into sand which can be used for disaster relief, coastal restoration and construction.
- Millions of pounds of glass waste were being sent to landfill every year, which is not only expensive, but bad for the environment.
- By diverting glass from landfill, the company is helping power projects that not only protect the environment, but the local population too.
Website: https://glasshalffull.co
What Is Glass Half Full?
Glass Half Full is a New Orleans-based startup that has changed how glass recycling happens in the region.
Established by two students from Tulane University after consuming a glass of wine, the founders wanted to know that the bottle they were drinking from wasn’t going to end up in landfill. Not only that, they recognised that recycled glass could be turned back into sand and gravel, making it functional.
From there, they got to work creating a glass recycling plant, centred around helping the local community and the planet too.
Whilst the pair initially started by hand-crushing bottles, they soon out-grew their space and fundraised to purchase a larger facility. From there, they have partnered with projects like restoring Louisiana’s coastline, working with artists and other initiatives to give these glass bottles a new lease of live.
The company has strong community support, allowing it to achieve its mission of powering a more responsible waste management system for glass.
What Makes Glass Half Full Unique?
What sets Glass Half Full apart is its mission of not only recycling products, but creating new, functional by-products in the process. Staying true to their eco-credentials, the company does not ship materials across long distances for processing, but collects, processes and uses the materials locally.
Their recycled sand is used in projects that directly benefit the local community. Given the area can be prone to flooding, using the sand for flood prevention means that local people see the direct benefit of their recycling efforts.
Another thing that makes them unique is how easy they make it for people to recycle. They have free drop-off hubs and collection services for homes and businesses. This means that people in the community have more of an incentive to get involved, further decreasing the amount of bottles that end up in landfill.
This has not only benefitted and protected the community from nature, but has also created more green jobs and a sustainable economy in the area.
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Is There A Market for Glass Recycling?
Yes, there is not only a growing market for glass recycling, but a huge market for the by-products it creates. According to Grand View Research, The global sand market industry was valued at $151 billion in 2022, driven by the construction industry and the need for coastal restoration in many places.
This means there is a real demand for sustainable sand that hasn’t been mined. Especially as these natural resources continue to decrease.
This is especially poignant in Louisiana, where the state is seeing eroding coastlines and increased flooding. This not only affects the local population, but can also affect tourism and other important trades. By providing a local, recycled source of sand, Glass Half Full is helping re-build the area, provide more green jobs and protect the population.
Where Can You Find Glass Half Full?
Find Glass Half Full at their recycling plant or at their website https://glasshalffull.co
