Metro Nashville Glass Feasibility Study

Wilmot conducted an evaluation of Nashville's glass waste generation patterns and researched local reuse opportunities that would simultaneously reduce costs and support the city's waste diversion targets.

Our assessment focused on two options:

• Implementing an on-site glass crushing operation

• Exploring third-party glass collection alternatives

After examining best practices across the country, Wilmot identified the path forward: crushing collected glass and repurposing it locally as base aggregate material for municipal infrastructure projects, particularly sidewalk and road construction.

The economics of this solution proved compelling. The proposed glass crushing operation would cost approximately $15.63 per ton to process—significantly less than the current $40 per ton fee paid to Waste Management for recycling services. Even while maintaining the existing arrangement with Waste Management for glass collection, the city would realize substantial savings by eliminating the need to purchase stone aggregate, generating a net savings of $5.38 per ton of glass repurposed as aggregate base.

With implementation of processing the 2,000 tons of glass currently collected at recycling drop-off locations, the city could achieve:

• Minimal upfront investment and grant funding covering 50% of equipment costs

• Complete return on investment within year one

• Annual public savings of $600,000

The economic model is scalable—the more glass diverted and processed, the greater the financial return for the city.

Beyond the economic advantages, this solution reduces landfill waste volume, minimizes transportation emissions associated with long-distance recycling, creates a circular economy for glass materials within Nashville, and supports the city's broader waste diversion goals.