From Glass to Sand – An Environmental and Economic Win-Win

Broward County Beach Demonstration Project

Sandy Gutner, Project Manager Phil Bresee, Recycling Program Manager Broward County

Outline

Overview of Project

Preliminary Results

Current Status

Next Steps

What is the Beach Demonstration Project?

Innovative research project to investigate the feasibility of using recycled glass for beach nourishment on the upland portion of the beach.

What are the Drivers for the Project?

  Over 13,000 tons of recycled glass is recovered annually at the County’s MRF with a recycling cost to the County of approx. $150,000.

  87% of Broward County’s beaches are critically eroded.

  Beach Renourishment projects are very costly, and can take 5 or more years to effect.

  Viable sources of replacement sand are becoming scarce.

  Having a viable, pre-approved materials available can mitigate the erosion of freshly placed materials.

Early Project Success

  Awarded, “Most Innovative Beach Management Project Award” by the Clean Beaches Council, June 2004

  Featured in the Sun Sentinel

  Featured in a local ABC report and a national Fox news report

  First project in US to have conducted this type of in-situ testing

How the project evolved….

Feasibility

Mixed Cullet Study

Geotechnical Characterization

Public Perception

Environmental

Testing

Abiotic Analysis

Aquarium Testing

Erosion

Control Testing

Permitting

Erosion testing

2002-2004 2005-2006 Presently

Beach Demonstration Project Success Sum of Three Elements

Technical Feasibility

Environmental Compatibility Public Perception

Project Approach

Processing Options

Public Perception

Geotechnical Characterization

Biological Assessment

Abiotic Testing

Aquarium Testing

Public Perception

Two Focus Groups:   Beach Professionals   Tourism Representatives

Phone survey   400 County residents

Success of public perception activities were critical to overall project success!!!

Goal – To perform initial targeted focus groups and public opinion telephone survey

Public Perception Some Common Questions….

“How will it look on the beach?….” – Broward County Resident

“Will it cut my feet?” – Broward County Resident

“How will it affect the wildlife, especially the seaturtles?” – Beach Professional

“Will tourists be able to build sand castles with it?”– Tourism Representative

“What will it cost?” – Tourism Representative

Public Perception Concept is Generally Appealing   Most find the concept interesting,

appealing, and relevant.

Key Benefits at a Glance

  Positive application of using recycled glass to address erosion ranks as most beneficial aspect of sand-glass mixture.

Geotechnical Characterization

Conducted analysis on beach sand and glass samples   Grain size distribution   Munsell color   Carbonate content   Grain angularity   Contaminants such as sodium and petroleum

Goal - To assess comparatively the geotechnical characteristics between sand and processed glass.

Based on the geotechnical and contaminant analysis performed for this study, glass cullet compares closely to natural sand.

Sand Cullet

Environmental Testing

  Aquarium Testing

  Abiotic Testing

Aquarium Testing

Aquarium Testing

Biological Monitoring:   Macrofauna Organisms   Microfauna Organisms   Organic Content

Goal - To monitor invertebrate survivability and colonization

Results indicated that the organism mortality rate was equivalent to natural sand.

Abiotic Testing

Conducted analysis on beach sand and glass samples   Temperature retention   Oxygen availability   Gas exchange

Goal - To assure the physical environments created by processed glass, will not negatively impact nesting endangered turtles.

Based on the abiotic testing performed for this study, glass cullet compares closely to natural sand.

Sand Cullet

Abiotic Testing and Construction of Test Plot   Constructed a 40 ft. by

40 ft. by 3 ft. deep test plot

  Approx. 190 ft.3 of sand and approx. 115 ft.3 of glass was used in the test plot

Getting the right mix

Fill ‘er up.

Four different blends

Construction

Abiotic Test Results

  Testing occurred March 7, 2006 through September 30, 2006.

We measured:   Temperature   Humidity   Gas exchange

Goal – To determine if glass cullet mixtures exhibit the same abiotic Characteristics when compared to current beach sediments.

No significant difference was detected in any of the variables measured.

Preliminary Results

  Glass can be processed into a sand-like substance.   Glass cullet has same abiotic characteristics as natural

sand. There is not a threat to turtle nesting, hatching success, or of male to female ratio.

  Mortality rate in water is the same as for natural sand.

Current Status   Currently in permitting to initiate submersion testing

•  Plan to include a one time placement of 2,000 cy of glass cullet below the mean high water line and monitoring.

Next Step - Analyzing economic viability

•  Prepare conceptual design •  Review logistics of processing transportation

and placement •  Estimate capital and operating costs •  Determine feasibility

Questions?