Metro Nashville Glass Feasibility Study

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Nashville’s Honkey Tonks go through tons of glass bottles. Wilmot came up with an innovative plan to reuse them.  

Background 

Metro Nashville Public Works spends $1.6M annually on glass disposal and recycling. In addition to being expensive, glass takes up valuable space in landfills or is hauled long distances for recycling. Wilmot was asked to determine the best method of transforming this waste stream into a valuable resource. 

Wilmot’s Role 

To achieve Nashville’s waste diversion goals, Wilmot evaluated glass waste generation in Nashville and identified ways to reuse the material locally and save money. Two options were considered:

• Crush and reuse glass

• Third-party glass collection

After a thorough review of best practices throughout the country, Wilmot found that crushing glass and reusing it locally as base aggregate under sidewalks would be the most efficient, convenient and cost-effective method of reuse. If all glass in the city’s waste stream was captured, Nashville would save $600K annually.  

Results 

• Potential for $600K in annual public savings

• Reduced emissions from hauling

• Preserved landfill space

QUICK FACTS:

Client:
Metro Public Works

Location:
Nashville, TN

Markets:

  • Municipal

Services:

  • Materials management planning

  • Feasibility studies

 
Waste Reduction, Economics and Strategy, RecyclingTiffany Wilmotfeasibility, alternatives, glass, glass recycling, recycling feasibility, recycling, waste, feasibility study, waste reduction, sustainability, beneficial reuse, alternatives analysis