Use those mussels: Invasive Thames River species can be converted to glass

In London, a materials innovation partnership has developed a technique to turn the shells of an invasive mussel species into glass. 

Bureau de Change, an architecture firm, and designer Lulu Harrison are specifically using the shells of freshwater species quagga mussel. Dubbed Thames Glass, the shells are mixed with sand and wood ash to create a unique glass material.  

Quagga mussels are an invasive species in the London area, with local utility Thames Water investing millions of pounds annually to remove the mussels. The hope is Thames Glass will find a way to convert an annoying problem into a useful, ecofriendly product.