Every discarded item, no matter how small, leaves a lasting mark on our delicate ecosystem. The preservation of biodiversity, the health of our waterways, and the sustainability of our lands are all at stake. 

Waste will always be seen as waste—until it is put in a different perspective. Most consumer products are seen as single-use and then trashed. What many people don’t realize is some of these products have the potential to be infinitely more valuable.

Chances are you’ve used products made possible by Strategic Materials, Inc., (SMI) possibly, without even knowing. SMI is in the business of glass recycling. You might be wondering, “How does that impact me?”

Globally, we produce a lot of waste. Right now, most products are made, used once, and find their way to a landfill. However, many of these products have the potential to be reused—to change forms—rather than being “destroyed” and wasted.

Tennessee has a pollution problem. The Tennessee River is one of the most plastic-polluted rivers in the world. It is one of the most biologically-diverse ecosystems in the world—but also contains more microplastics per gallon than any other river.

Tennessee CLEAN took a detour to Texas for the Resource Recycling Conference in Austin. The Resource Recycling Conference has become the place for industry leaders to discuss the latest ideas and innovations in recycling and sustainability.