Glass Half Full, an entrepreneurial business that is revolutionizing glass recycling across the Gulf South, has opened a new state-of-the-art glass recycling facility in St. Bernard Parish. Positioned on a 3-acre site in Chalmette, Louisiana, the 10,000-sq.-ft. warehouse building has a recycling capacity that exceeds 300,000 pounds of glass per day, a 30-fold increase in capacity from the company鈥檚 previous facility in the Upper Ninth Ward. This boost in productivity will enable Glass Half Full to expand its collection radius to several surrounding states.
The addition of advanced optical sorting machinery equips Glass Half Full to begin producing cullet, the raw material used in manufacturing glass bottles. The company also produces sand for coastal restoration projects in Louisiana, which loses a football field of land every 100 minutes, and across the Gulf Coast.
鈥淥ur new facility underscores our commitment to amplifying the recycling infrastructure and sustainable practices across the Gulf South,鈥� said Franziska Trautmann, Co-Founder and CEO of Glass Half Full. 鈥淣ot only does it help advance our work in addressing the region鈥檚 coastal erosion crisis, but it also lays a strong foundation for creating jobs and economic opportunity.鈥�
The RNGD Building and Steel teams collaborated on the construction of the facility, which is a pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) assembled from prefabricated steel components designed, engineered, and manufactured by RNGD’s building manufacturing partner, NUCOR Building Systems.
Delivered ahead of schedule, the building鈥檚 compact footprint and expansive outdoor spaces support Glass Half Full鈥檚 commitment to efficiency and sustainability. The building鈥檚 interior design features custom terrazzo flooring, supplied by Terrazzo Masters, that integrates polished recycled material produced by Glass Half Full. 鈥淭he RNGD team was honored to partner with Glass Half Full to create a hub for environmental innovation that will benefit our entire region,鈥� said Erin Comeaux, team leader at RNGD.
Prior to planning and constructing the new facility, the Glass Half Full leadership team visited several glass recycling facilities across the U.S. to assess best practices and gather valuable insights from owners. That feedback informed the selection of the 3-acre site along Paris Road, which is conveniently accessible and surrounded by additional land to accommodate future expansion opportunities as the business continues to grow.
The Meraux Foundation donated a total of $3.7 million to the nonprofit Glassroots and St. Bernard Parish Government to help make the new glass recycling facility possible. “We’re proud to celebrate this milestone for our community, coast, and economy,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation. “Turning a former landfill into a hub for innovation shows what鈥檚 possible when we invest in smart solutions. This facility will create jobs, reduce waste, and strengthen coastal protection鈥攄emonstrating that economic growth and environmental progress go hand in hand. We look forward to its lasting impact.”
鈥淲e are proud to support Glass Half Full鈥檚 expansion and their dedication to sustainability and innovation,鈥� said Gayle Benson, founder of Benson Capital Partners. 鈥淭his new facility is a testament to Glass Half Full鈥檚 vision and hard work, and it will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the Gulf South region. We believe in the power of visionary businesses like Glass Half Full to lead the way toward a greener future, and we are thrilled to be part of this important milestone.鈥�