A Decade Of Recycling Eliminates More Than 20 Billion Pounds Of Waste

Strong Indicator of Industry’s Commitment to Environment

Alexandria, VA (October 30, 2002) – In the last decade, manufacturers of fiber glass and slag wool insulation have diverted more than 20 billion pounds of glass and blast furnace slag from America’s solid waste stream, according to The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). NAIMA recently completed its 10th Annual Recycling Survey of its members, which manufacture fiber glass and slag wool insulation. The survey results show that in the last ten years for which data is available, NAIMA’s members have used nearly 9.5 billion pounds of recycled glass and nearly 11 billion pounds of recycled blast furnace slag for the manufacture of fiber glass and mineral wool insulation.

"NAIMA is proud of the steps its members have taken to protect our environment," said Ken Mentzer, president of NAIMA. "Not only have they stepped up their use of recycled products but they’ve improved energy efficiency across the manufacturing, packaging, distribution and waste management processes in ways that have an enormous impact."

Fiber glass insulation products are now made with up to 40 percent recycled glass, and are the largest secondary market for recycled glass containers according to the Glass Packaging Institute. An added environmental benefit is that by using recycled glass along with raw materials, manufacturers consume less energy to produce their product than by using the raw materials alone.

The industry estimates that over 90 percent of slag used in slag wool insulation is purchased from manufacturers and the remaining 10 percent mined directly from waste disposal sites.

A Life-Cycle Approach to Insulation

Using recycled glass containers and blast furnace slag to manufacture insulation not only saves landfill space by diverting products from the solid waste stream but it also prevents depletion of natural resources. Knowing that recycling is only one part of protecting the environment, NAIMA members have made improvements in the way they manufacture, package, distribute and design insulation to produce environmentally preferable products. To learn more visit www.naima.org.