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Reinventing recycling in Louisiana

Franziska Trautmann and Max Steitz discovered glass wasn't being recycled in New Orleans. Now they’re diverting tonnes of it from landfill and using some to tackle coastal erosion

Franziska Trautmann and Max Steitz decided to start a recycling project in New Orleans after realising the city sent all its glass to landfill. Now their social enterprise Glass Half Full diverts hundreds of tonnes from landfill and is using the material to help shore up Louisiana’s eroding coastline.

Franziska tells us how they are expanding the project and we hear from one of their first business customers. We also find out why gaps in the recycling system mean the city’s waste glass can’t easily be turned back into new bottles.

Producer/presenter: James Graham

(Photo: Franziska Trautman and Max Steitz at their base in New Orleans. Credit: Glass Half Full)

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18 minutes

Last on

Thu 17 Nov 2022 08:32GMT

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  • Thu 17 Nov 2022 08:32GMT

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