Glass recycling is coming to Birmingham–learn how to get involved

Glass Half Full, an organization based in New Orleans that specializes in recycling and repurposing glass, is planning to come to Birmingham. This November, they will be hosting an event at Sloss Furnaces where local companies can learn about using recycled glass as aggregate to reduce waste.

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of glass recycling and how to get involved.

Glass Half Full comes to Birmingham

Before Glass Half Full was created in 2020, there were no glass recycling facilities in New Orleans. Nearly four years later, the organization has diverted millions of pounds of glass from landfills and converted it into usable materials.

To kick off their mission to bring glass recycling to Birmingham, they will be having a seminar at Sloss Furnaces in early November where businesses and locals can learn the environmental benefits of recycling glass. The event will include free samples and tutorials, with catering provided by Rojo. While the seminar is invite only, the free samples at Sloss will be available to the public while supplies last for those who would like to try some.

“I have been looking for a solution to recycling glass ever since Rojo opened. It’s a shame about the amount of glass that goes into our landfills. Glass can be recycled infinitely and we are really excited to seeing glass recycling coming back to the Birmingham area.”

Laney DeJonge, Co-owner of Rojo

Want to support glass recycling in Birmingham? Donate to their GoFundMe.

Why recycle glass?

Because sand is a major component of glass-making, global sand shortages and coastal erosion are occurring at an alarming rate. According to Glass Half Full, Louisiana has lost a quarter of its wetlands since the 1930s.

Glass recycling facilities sort glass and pulverize it, creating sand products ranging from super soft, beach-like powder to chunky glass gravel. This glass aggregate can be used in:

• Countertops
• Concrete
• Coastal restoration
• Hydroponics
• Road building
• Composting

“This has been a long time coming trying to get glass recycling going on in Birmingham. The goal is for it to become a hub, a local industry. Local use means a smaller environmental footprint and it supports economic development benefits. It creates jobs and at the same time, combats coastal erosion which has become a huge issue in Florida. They’ve actually been having to import sand to places in Florida due to sand shortages.”

JD Porter, Andela Products

Contribute to Glass Half Full’s GoFundMe

Glass Half Full will be donating a truck-load of glass aggregate to use for demonstration and samples in Birmingham. In order to get the materials from New Orleans to Birmingham, they are raising money through a GoFundMe to cover the trucking costs.

Donations over $20 will be invited to get samples at Sloss and donations over $50 will be invited to the luncheon and seminar in addition to receiving samples.

Donate

For businesses that would like to be invited to the Sloss Furnace event or to get samples, please contact contact JD Porter at jdporter49@gmail.com.

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