North American Insulation Manufacturers Recycle More than 2 Billion Pounds of Materials In Their Products

The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) announced the results of a recent survey of its members’ use of pre- and post-consumer recycled materials in insulation products in 2012. The survey includes data from U.S. and Canadian manufacturing facilities. According to the survey, U.S. manufacturers used almost 1.6 billion pounds of recycled glass in the production of residential, commercial, industrial, and air handling thermal and acoustical insulation. Manufacturers estimate they will use more than 1.7 billion pounds in 2013. NAIMA Canada members together used nearly 300 million pounds of recycled glass in the production of residential, commercial, industrial, and air handling thermal and acoustical insulation.

U.S. and Canadian facilities used more than 474 million pounds of recycled blast furnace slag in the production of thermal and acoustical insulation. Since the industry’s recycling program began in 1992, NAIMA members’ plants have diverted over 43.8 billion pounds of recycled materials from the waste stream. “NAIMA members are committed to promoting sustainability by using recycled materials to produce energy-saving insulation products that improve a building’s energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact,” says Kate Offringa, president and CEO of NAIMA. “Fiberglass, rock wool and slag wool insulation are some of the best choices available for residential and commercial building.”

While recycled content is just one indicator of a product’s environmental impact, the survey results illustrate the significant impact that an industry can affect through the conscientious use of materials.