Potential applications for recycled glass in beach management: Emergency stabilization of erosional "hot spots" in Broward County, Florida

In Florida beach renourishment is the preferred management technique used to maintain the integrity of local beaches, which generate over 7.9 billion a year in revenues from tourism. Beaches are dynamic and often exhibit accelerated rates of erosion and shoreline retreat. Sites that erode more than twice the regional background rate are classified as "erosional hot spots" (EHS). Emergency remediation of EHS is necessary to avoid loss of beach sand from renourished beaches. Because suitable offshore borrow materials are limited in Broward County, coastal managers are seeking alternative sources of compatible beach fill materials. The manufacturing of glass sand from processed recycled glass is a new, innovative technology. This report evaluates the potential application of glass sand for EHS remediation along renourished shores. Benefits of processed glass sand are: (1) preferred grain size by crushing of recycled glass, (2) an environmentally inert material, and (3) physical properties similar to the composition and color of native sand. The recycling industry in Florida generates almost 100,000 m^3 of glass a year, 30% of which is unsuitable for recycling. Alternative uses for waste glass cullet are being sought to reduce the high cost of disposal in landfills.