Glass Transforms into Soil Amendment

Ellen C. Wells

Growstones has partnered with the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico to turn recycled glass into Growstones, a product made from 95% recycled glass bottles. The product is a replacement for materials such as pumice, perlite and stonewool, and can be used as a soil amendment or addition to a hydroponic growing system.

Growstones have specific pore sizes and structures, creating an ideal air-to-water ratio. The product improves a media’s structure, texture and aeration, giving growers better water retention or water drainage for their specific needs.

Growstones have been field-tested through horticultural trials in both traditional and hydroponic greenhouses, as well as container nurseries. They’ve also gone head to head with a variety of different potting soils and soilless mixes, including peat moss and coir mixes. Results show that Growstones can be an effective part of hydroponic systems and serve as efficient soil amendments for crops as diverse as flowering and woody ornamental, vegetables, tropicals, trees and shrubs.

“We are proud to be working with the city of Albuquerque,” said Chris Higgins, vice president of Growstones. “Their commitment to recycling and to our product is not only good for the economy and the environment, but it will help growers with a green conscience produce better plants.” According to Albuquerque’s Mayor Martin Chavez, the partnership with Growstones will allow the city to recycle all of the city’s annual glass consumption, approximately 15,000 tons per year.