Broward County in Florida plans to restore its eroding shoreline with experimental beaches composed of sand from ground-up bottles. The county will spend $570,000 to set up and study two plots of ground glass along the southern Broward shore. If successful, the county might use the material to fill gaps in a stretch of sand from Port Everglades to Hallandale which suffers from erosion. The idea has not been welcomed by Florida state environmental regulators, who are concerned about the possible impact on shorebirds & sea turtle nests. The county is still discussing with the state how to carry out the experiment. The plots will not be open to the public. County officials will consider factors likely to affect sea turtle nests, such as temperature, gas exchange & moisture. Beach-goers will be surveyed about if they would feel comfortable with glass sand.
