The first phase of the plant, scheduled to be operational in early 2024, will involve the installation of processing equipment to make cullet from collected glass.
Glass cullet is used in a variety of applications, such as being remanufactured into lightweight aggregate, consumer glass containers, and repurposed into the production of fiberglass products.
The second phase will include the production of ultra-lightweight foamed glass aggregate which will be used in road construction projects across Arkansas.
This product is used to save weight and cost in road construction products by replacing traditional fill behind retaining wall and over utilities.
The aggregate plant will also create over 30 new jobs.
Courtney Little, Founder of Epic Glass Recycling, said: "We're very excited to be able to offer an in-state recycling option for cities, counties, and solid waste agencies that currently collect glass, ramp up collections where not currently offered, and add additional services where needed.
“By being able to collect, recycle and manufacture product from glass in an end-to-end process, Epic Glass Recycling will now be able to productively repurpose what was once waste into viable products or raw materials rather than sending it to landfills or out of state."
Epic Glass Recycling is an Arkansas-based non-profit organisation. Together with Ace Glass, it plans to improve recycling efforts across the state.
In a news release, it said having a plant in Central Arkansas would make glass recycling more cost effective for communities across the state and in surrounding states.
