by Nicole Mitchell

There is currently a global sand shortage. While beaches are filled, and the deserts across the world have plenty of sand, the sand available in many locations is not fit for industrial use, according to Phys.org, an online science, research and news site. Sand is used in a variety of products, including paper, toothpaste and cosmetics. So, how do we solve the problem, when sand is needed for many essential items?

During their senior year of college, co-founders Franziska Trautmann and Max Steitz—alongside a bottle of wine—realized that there were two problems that needed to be solved: Louisiana’s lack of recycling programs and the global sand shortage. With that realization came the idea for Glass Half Full. Glass Half Full is a glass recycling initiative located in New Orleans, Louisiana, that takes glass and turns it into sand for local restoration projects. Since the company’s start in 2020, Glass Half Full has successfully saved 2.2 million pounds of glass away from landfills.

Humble beginnings

Trautmann was a Chemical Engineering major in school, but nearly everything she and Steitz learned was done so by using the internet. “We started with one small glass-to-sand machine,” she said. The glass pulverizing machine was purchased after Trautmann and Steitz were able to gain $20,000 in donations through GoFundMe. The machine was simple—glass bottles were fed through the top, and sand flowed through the bottom. A bonus—it worked in Trautmann’s backyard.

Trautmann began documenting the team’s journey on its social media accounts shortly after its start in 2020. Since then, Glass Half Full has been able to grow 260.7 thousand followers and over 5 million likes on TikTok alone. “Social media is a huge reason why we were able to grow so quickly,” Trautmann explained.

The organization now has a 40 thousand sq. ft. facility, where it creates 100,000 pounds of sand each month. Glass Half Full was able to get there with six employees and 12,000 volunteers. Volunteer work at the organization looks like picking up glass from local drop off locations, which is a paid service offered to NOLA residents, and monitoring equipment. But a day in the life at Glass Half Full is much more than that.

“Drop off days are busy days,” Trautmann said. “There are hundreds of people bringing glass and asking questions.” Not only that, but Glass Half Full consistently is hosting volunteers, conducting tours, and most recently, being filmed by a documentary crew.

Success story

Three years since its start, Glass Half Full has accomplished quite a few goals. From receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to achieving “Most Innovative Program” from Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the organization continues to see growth and recognition. “I am most proud of our work in coastal restoration,” Trautmann said. “I am so excited to see it progress as it has since we got the NSF grant in September 2021.”

The NSF grant gives Glass Half Full the opportunity to continue growing. Phase one objectives of the organization include the continued use of recycled glass sand to promote resilience and the blue economy in coastal communities, the development of products that can generate revenue to support coastal efforts, obtaining Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) approval under a list of erosion control products, and more coastal effort relief programs. “We dreamed of doing this,” Trautmann said, “and now it’s coming to life. It’s a dream come true.”

Trautmann hopes that in the future, Glass Half Full can grow to other parts of the world. “We’re not ready to franchise,” she said. “But we’ve had inquiries.” The sand created by the organization is used for restoration projects around the Louisiana coast, and Trautmann hopes to expand to new locations in the future. Unfortunately, expanding even across the state will take time.

“Within the next few years, we hope to expand to collect all of the glass in Louisiana,” she said. “There are no other options for people in the state.” Trautmann hopes to further the organization's reach once it is able to collect glass statewide.

For others who are looking to help their communities in some way, Trautmann shared some words of advice. “Don’t worry about what you don’t know,” she said. “Just go for it and try to tackle the problem that you want to see solved.” Trautmann noted that she didn’t have any experience in recycling when she and Steitz started Glass Half Full. “I learned everything I know along the way.”

For those around the world who may not be able to donate their glass or volunteer at Glass Half Full, Trautmann mentioned that social media is a great way to support the organization no matter the location. Find Glass Half Full on social media here.

Photos courtesy of Glass Half Full.