Glass Half Full, a New Orleans-based recycling company founded in 2020, has developed a specialized approach to glass waste management in the Southeastern United States. Established by Tulane University students Franziska Trautmann and Max Steitz, the company addresses a significant regional recycling gap where glass recycling options are limited.

The company operates as an L3C social business, focusing on collecting glass waste from residential and commercial clients across New Orleans, parts of Mississippi, and Alabama. Its primary operational model involves converting collected glass into sand and gravel, which are then utilized in various environmental and construction applications.

In 2023, the company secured $6.5 million in funding, enabling expansion of its processing capabilities. The new facility in Chalmette, Louisiana is designed to process up to 300,000 pounds of glass daily and is equipped with optical sorting technology to efficiently separate and process glass materials.

Glass Half Full’s environmental impact is measurable. Since its inception, the company has already processed over seven million pounds of glass, contributing to efforts to reduce landfill waste and support coastal restoration projects in Louisiana. The recycled glass sand has demonstrated utility in multiple sectors, including coastal restoration, wetland preservation, construction materials, and landscape design.

The company’s approach highlights a practical response to waste management challenges, particularly in regions with limited recycling infrastructure. By creating value from waste materials, Glass Half Full illustrates a potential model for localized recycling solutions.