Knauf Insulation and Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Lead Glass Recycling Initiative in Nashville for Second Consecutive Year

07-26-2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 26, 2023) – For the second year in a row, Knauf Insulation, Inc. and Big Machine Music City Grand Prix (MCGP) are leading a glass recycling collection in Nashville. The glass recycling initiative began July 20 at participating establishments and will culminate August 4-6 with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.

In Nashville, the average bar on Broadway goes through about 30,000 glass bottles per day. Yet, there is no current formal glass recycling program. Knauf and MCGP's work to recycle 10 tons of glass during the 2022 event is proof of the positive impact that can be achieved through unique recycling opportunities like this. Knauf Insulation relies on recycled glass to manufacture its fiberglass insulation. All glass collected as part of this partnership is converted into cullet (crushed glass) and returned to Knauf’s manufacturing facilities.

This year’s initiative has been expanded to suburban bars, as well as to local residents who can drop off their glass at MCGP’s offices (1 Vantage Way), daily between 9-12 pm, in exchange for free General Admission race tickets and an entry to win Turn 9 Club tickets ($849 per person value).

Knauf will collect glass from participating establishments, including The Original Corner Pub - Green Hills, Losers Bar & Grill on Broadway, Luke’s 33 Bridge, Losers in Midtown, and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar.

Knauf is heavily invested in improving glass recycling rates, with the company using 500 million pounds of recycled glass in its manufacturing process annually. Not only is this glass diverted from the landfill, using recycled glass reduces the amount of energy needed for manufacturing and decreases the amount of raw materials needing to be mined.

“People forget that glass isn’t trash, it is a very important raw material used in products like fiberglass insulation,” said Chris Mahin, Knauf Insulation’s Vice President of Sustainability and HSE. “These types of unique recycling opportunities are valuable for Knauf as we continue to seek alternative sources for glass – the main ingredient in our products.”

“We have become one of the premier event cities in America, bringing in tens of thousands of people per day – but that does come at a cost,” said Big Machine Music City Grand Prix CEO, Matt Crews. “We know our hometown of Nashville appreciates Knauf putting its values into action through an impactful program that takes glass out of local landfills and transform it into environmentally friendly building products.”

For the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, which attracted more than 110,000 guests over three days in 2022, Knauf Insulation will be recycling glass on the Nissan Stadium campus throughout the race weekend.

ABOUT BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day premier festival of racing and music from Aug. 4-6 featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked Cooler Trans Am TA2 Series and Stadium SUPER Trucks. Ticket Packages, Clubs and Suites are now available to watch the best INDYCAR drivers race for the Big Machine Music City Cup. Fans can choose their optimal grandstand seat to watch as the drivers compete in the 80-lap, 2.1-mile, 11-turn course which races around Nissan Stadium, over the Cumberland River, and curves around downtown Nashville. The adrenaline-fueled event will feature live music each day and culminate with a headline concert on Friday and Saturday nights. For a complete list of FAQs on ticketing, race weekend policies or for more information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.

ABOUT KNAUF INSULATION

Knauf Insulation North America is part of Knauf Group, a family-owned global manufacturer of building materials based in Iphofen, Germany. Knauf leverages the expertise of over 40,000 employees across 300 production facilities in 90 countries to generate revenue of $16Billion. In North America, Knauf Insulation is a leading manufacturer of thermal and acoustical fiberglass insulation for residential, commercial, industrial, OEM and metal building applications. Knauf’s mission is to challenge conventional thinking and create innovative solutions that shape the way we live and build in the future, with care for the people who make them, the people who use them and the world we all depend on. For more information, visit www.knaufnorthamerica.com.

Media Contacts:

Linda McGovern
847-287-9805
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Amanda Pollard
312-914-4417
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