Recycled Glass Aggregate

Why RGA?

Not only is RGA a 100% recycled product, it is also cost effective compared to other fill materials. Utilizing RGA in construction projects provides builders and developers with Green Building LEED points, and ultimately saves money! Our RGA has received a Beneficial USe Determination from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Drainage and Bedding Project Examples

Stormwater Retention, Newark, NJ

During Summer and Fall 2024, SMR supplied contractor Petillo Companies with more than 7500 tons of RGA for use in construction of underground stormwater retention basins at a site near Liberty International Airport.  The RGA was approved by the project geotechnical engineer, Langan Engineers, and site LSRP, Roux Engineers.  The site will ultimately support large distribution centers.

Mixed Use Development, Cranford, NJ

In winter 2024, we supplied 4,300 tons of RGA for a mixed-use development project in Monmouth County, NJ.  The project owner, Hartz Mountain and the site contractor, Tomco Construction, are repeat customers for our RGA and obtained all required site approvals.  The RGA was utilized as an economical pipe embedment / backfill material.

Russo Development, Kearny NJ

In winter 2023, we delivered more than 1,200 tons of RGA to the site of a new distribution center under construction by Russo Development in Kearny, NJ.  The site contractor, KP Excavation, utilized RGA for backfill with ADS and RCP pipe.  RGA is a versatile and cost-effective fill material that provides both support and drainage.  The RGA was approved by project geotechnical engineers, SESI Consulting Engineers, and the site LSRP, PT Consultants, Inc. 

Pillari Bros Construction

In fall 2022, we supplied 450 tons of RGA to Pillari Bros Construction for use as bedding and backfill in and around both corrugated steel and plastic piping.  The RGA was approved for use by the site LSRP, Matrix New World Engineering, and pipe manufacturer (Advanced Drainage Systems or ADS). 

StormTrap Detention System, Avenel, NJ

In spring 2020, we delivered approximately 2500 tons of RGA aggregate backfill for a large StormTrap drainage system constructed in Avenel NJ. This underground structure manages stormwater runoff without forfeiting valuable property to detention ponds. Our RGA aggregate meets ASTM D2321-18 Class II – Pipe Zone Embedment (backfill) for underground installation of plastic, concrete, and steel pipe or tanks. The project LSRP and engineers approved the RGA, which was installed by Pillari Brothers Construction on behalf of Duke Realty.  The site will ultimately support a 185,000 SF Industrial Building. 

Industrial Site Improvement, Perth Amboy, NJ

In 2018 and 2019, geotechnical engineers and project LSRP, Matrix New World Engineering, approved SMR RGA for this industrial improvement project at the Weeks Marine facility in Perth Amboy. The project customers were Weeks Marine and North American Aggregates.  Approximately 10,000 tons of RGA were used in place of natural aggregates as pipe bed sand for a large-scale dredge conveyance tunnel.

V.A. Spatz & Sons, Yorktown, NY

In fall 2018, we provided V.A Spatz & Sons with 370 tons of RGA for use as underdrain medium in a NYSDOT lane widening project along Route 202/206 in Yorktown, NY.  RGA Grain Size Analysis was performed by SESI Consulting Engineers.  With sieve analyses and RGA photos, the Materials Acceptance Engineers at NYSDOT approved SMR’s RGA for use in the project. 

NYC DOT Phase 2, Harlem River Drive, Manhattan

In the fall of 2018, SMR provided 100 tons of RGA to the DeFoe Corp for their ongoing NYC DOT construction project on the Harlem River Drive in northern Manhattan.  The RGA was utilized as Type 1 Underdrain Filter Medium.

Water Main Extension, Staten Island, New York

In January 2016, construction firm Excav Services used approximately 70 tons of SMR RGA as pipe bedding material for an extension of the water main and installation of a new hydrant at the NYC Department of Sanitation Compost Site. The RGA was approved for use by the project engineers, GHD. According to Robert Governale, President and Founder of Excav, “the glass was easy to work with and cheaper than the alternatives, plus it’s a local, recycled material.”

NYC DOT, Harlem River Drive, Manhattan

In summer 2015, the NYC Department of Transportation approved SMR as a vendor for the supply of Type 1 Underdrain Filter Medium. In fall 2015, SMR’s Recycled Glass Aggregate (RGA) was tested and approved in compliance with New York State DOT Underdrain Filter Type 1 specifications. 500 cubic yards, or approximately 750 tons of RGA were stockpiled and sampled in accordance with NYSDOT standards. The material was supplied to DeFoe Corporation, prime contractor for reconstruction of the Harlem River Drive from 127th to 132nd Street, in northern Manhattan.

Kew Gardens Interchange, Queens, New York

Defoe Corporation was contracted by NYS DOT to reconstruct the Kew Gardens Interchange in Queens, in order to reduce traffic congestion and improve quality of life for residents in the area. In spring 2012, Defoe used 700 tons of SMR RGA as roadside stormwater filtration medium. The RGA was spread approximately 4 feet deep over a half mile section on the south side of the interchange. The development meets sustainable design and performance standards.

NYS DOT Interstate 684, Westchester, New York

In 2011, SMR provided approximately 6,000 tons of RGA to Grace Industries to use in place of crushed stone as roadside stormwater filtration medium. RGA was stockpiled, sampled and tested at SMR’s facility, in conformance with DOT specifications. According to Ed Bessim of Grace Industries, he will continue to use RGA “because it’s a cheaper, greener alternative to under-drain stone.”

Fill Project Examples

White Diamond Properties, Jersey City, NJ

In winter 2023, we provided more than 1,600 tons of RGA to White Diamond Properties/Manhattan Building Company (MBC) for work at the Bates Street Redevelopment Area in Jersey City.  The RGA was used for pipe backfill and general fill, and was approved by geotechnical engineers, JZN Engineering, and the LSRP, Prestige Environmental.  When complete, the project will consist of mixed-use high-rise buildings to include residential housing, commercial space, and parking garages.

Clean Fill Project, Teterboro, NJ

Throughout summer and fall 2022 and winter 2023, we supplied more than 72K tons of RGA to Hartz Mountain Industries for use in subbase for a new warehouse and distribution facility.  Our RGA meets the strict environmental parameters of the NJ Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA), the regional planning and zoning agency for the Hackensack Meadowlands District.  While high water tables can be problematic with new construction projects, free draining RGA subbase can provide added protection from seasonal freeze thaw cycles and less settlement due to lightweight characteristics.

Clean Fill Project, Trenton, NJ

In spring, summer and fall 2021, we provided approximately 42,000 cubic yards of RGA to Morgan/Harbour Construction for use in development of the HRP Mercer Logistics Park. When complete, the Logistics Park will host more than 1.2 million SF of warehouse/distribution buildings within a larger industrial complex.  Our RGA was approved by the site geotechnical engineer and project LSRP Ransom Consulting.  RGA was blended on-site in 1:2 and 1:3 ratios with quarry stone, providing significant savings to the project developer.  The RGA blends were used as structural and clean fill below grade.

Clean Fill Project, Newark, NJ

In spring 2021, we supplied Voyager Trucking with approximately 700 tons of RGA for the customer’s truck-stop site improvement project in Newark, NJ. The RGA was approved by the project LSRP and Engineer to use as clean backfill and sub-base, after removal of existing contaminated soils.  The site will be developed to support a convenience store, fueling stations, truck parking, and other public facilities.

Harbor View Marketplace – Bayonne, NJ

In spring 2019, SMR supplied 1,600 tons of RGA for use as structural fill aggregate.  The RGA was used to improve and extend existing site soil materials.  Unsuitable on-site materials that would otherwise be exported were blended with RGA to improve structural performance and support interior roads and parking lots.  The project site includes luxury rental units and 240,000 SF of retail space.  JMF Properties, RD Management, and Accurate Builders and Developers employed long-time RGA user, Union Paving & Construction, to perform the site work.

Unique Application Examples

Trevcon Construction

In winter 2023, we provided 1,900 tons of RGA to Trevcon Construction, a leading marine contractor in the NY-NJ Harbor.  Trevcon previously approved and utilized RGA in several waterfront construction projects.  For the Jersey City project, the RGA was approved based on geotechnical and engineering properties for use as structural backfill for bulkhead repairs, providing a significant cost savings over the crushed stone alternatives.

Lightweight Aggregate, Hoboken, NJ

In Spring 2022, we supplied contractor JFC with 160 cubic yards of RGA for the Northwest Resiliency Park, NJ’s largest resiliency park. A project of the North Hudson Sewerage Authority, the Park will have above and below ground infrastructure to withhold up to 2 million gallons of rainwater to help mitigate local flooding. The RGA is utilized to reduce overall weight on the underlying drainage structures. This lightweight application replaces manufactured lightweight aggregate materials at a fraction of the cost and is available locally.

E. Tetz & Sons, Middletown, NY

Throughout 2021, we shipped more than 7500 tons of RGA to E. Tetz, a processor and producer of aggregates and asphalt.  The RGA is blended with concrete demolition debris prior to crushing, at a ratio of approximately 1:5, RGA to concrete.  Incorporation of RGA with the crushed concrete improves the overall material gradation and structural properties of the finished NYSDOT approved RCA (Recycled Concrete Aggregate).

Staten Island School Garden Assistance Project, Staten Island, NY

In the Spring of 2019, Nature Based NY utilized 4 cubic yards of SMR’s “gramber” glass as drainage media in tank planters for the Staten Island School Garden Assistance Project, a program designed to promote healthy eating and a love of gardening among school children.  Nature Based NY filled 13 planters with 4”-6” of gramber, added a layer of non-woven geotextile, and placed 21” of organic grower’s soil.  Tanks were filled with annuals, tomato, squash, corn, berries, kale and other vegetables.

Swale, Governor’s Island, NY Harbor

We donated a truckload of gramber cullet which was used in the construction of 20 raised garden beds on Governor’s Island in the heart of NY Harbor. Measuring 84” x 84” x 24”, the raised beds utilize SMR glass product as a sub-base, mixed with soil, to establish a public food forest project supported by the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. Educational signage informs the public that an estimated 117,000 recycled glass bottles were used to make the substrate for the garden, which is the amount of glass recycled in NYC every 2.3 hours.

Bergen County, NJ – Sanitary Landfill Closure

In winter 2018, we supplied +10,000 cubic yards of RGA for the NJDEP-approved final closure of this landfill, which includes recreational development of the site. RGA was specified by the engineers, CME Associates, to be used in conjunction with processed dredge material, to maintain stable working surfaces and slopes.

Sheet Pile Bulkhead Fill, Jersey City, NJ

In winter 2018, we utilized approximately 750 tons of RGA at Claremont Terminal in Jersey City as fill between a new sheet pile bulkhead and the original bulkhead that was failing. Fill was required to be placed underwater between the two bulkheads. The initial approach of the marine contractor, Trevcon Construction, was to use gravel, as this is self-compacting under water. As a cost savings measure, Trevcon switched to RGA. They found RGA behaved similarly to stone aggregate, in that it self-compacted when dropped through the water column. Another benefit is that RGA is lighter than stone, exerting less lateral pressure on the new bulkhead.