Insulation Manufacturers Recycling Increased in 2007
Members of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association used more than 4 billion pounds of pre- and post-consumer recycled materials in their insulation products during 2006/2007, according to a recent survey. The survey includes data from both U.S. and Canadian manufacturing facilities.
According to the survey, U.S. manufacturers used almost 4.2 billion pounds of recycled materials in the production of residential, commercial, industrial, and air handling thermal, and acoustical insulation. This represents an almost 62 percent increase over 2005. Use of recycled glass rose by 107 percent and use of reclaimed slag by 55.5 percent. Since the industry's recycling program began in 1992, NAIMA members' plants have diverted almost 33 billion pounds of recycled materials from the waste stream.
The survey showed NAIMA Canada members together used 593 million pounds of recycled glass and more than 176 million pounds of slag in the production of thermal and acoustical insulation. This represents an increase of 66 percent and 129 percent, respectively over 2005.
"NAIMA members are committed to preserving the environment by using recycled materials to produce energy-saving insulation products that improve a building's energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact," said Ken Mentzer, president and chief executive officer of NAIMA. "Fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation are some of the best choices available for residential and commercial green building."