Overview

Glass recycling for the Gulf South Region

New Orleans-based Glass Half Full (GHF) took its glass recycling and coastal restoration mission to the next level — and RNGD made it happen. Since its launch in 2020, GHF has processed over seven million pounds of glass, repurposing it for multiple uses, including sand for coastal restoration projects, building material, and more. GHF swiftly outgrew its current facility in the Upper Ninth Ward due to increased processing demand, but thanks to funding and support through Benson Capital Partners and The Meraux Foundation, the organization was ready to expand. RNGD was selected to build GHF’s new 10,000-square-foot warehouse on a three-acre former landfill site in St. Bernard Parish. This new facility processes up to 300,000 pounds of glass a day using state-of-the-art optical sorting machinery, meeting both local and regional demands with their services now extending as far as Florida. As RNGD laid the cornerstone for GHF to expand its footprint and national impact, our team has yet another opportunity to drive growth and usher in a new chapter for an incredible organization.

Renewal on Treasure Street

GHF’s new warehouse facility is located on the recently built Treasure Street in Chalmette, Louisiana. The project features a 135-foot by 75-foot NUCOR metal warehouse, installed by RNGD’s Steel Team, with a wall panel enclosure and dedicated awnings for drop-off areas. Separate areas will accommodate residential and pedestrian traffic as well as larger commercial drop-offs. Beyond the processing area, the warehouse includes two offices, a conference room, break room, locker room, and restroom facilities. Before transforming this former dumping ground, RNGD’s team worked to clear old debris above and below the surface. The project is a collaborative effort with architectural design by Williams Architects, structural and civil engineering design by Morphy, Makofsky, Inc., HG Engineering LLC for the HVAC and plumbing design, and Cambas Electric for electrical design.

A brighter, greener future

Completed in February 2025, GHF’s new facility serves as a hub for environmental innovation in the Gulf South Region. Aiding green job creation, the facility will boost ongoing studies with Tulane University as they explore the use of glass in coastal restoration. It also supports continued work on active coastal restoration projects in Louisiana with organizations such as the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe. RNGD consistently finds innovation not only in what we build but also in our visionary clients. By partnering with organizations that share our vision, our company expands and diversifies its impact beyond construction. With organizations like GHF, we elevated industries, setting the foundation for what’s possible, and ushering in a brighter, greener future.