Landfill Treasures: Recycling Glass from Trash to Upscale Interior Surfaces
Transparency: Green Suppliers
A reputable supplier should be able to provide specific information about the individual product’s percentages of pre- and post-consumer waste content. They should be able to identify both the source and mix of glass in and individual panel. The recycled glass should be tracked and certified and this information should be available to buyers.
There are several types of certifications for manufacturers as a green business. Certified Benefit Corporations or B Corps are a new classification for green businesses as a legal entity. “Benefit Corporations are unique in that they build upon the legal framework of an organization the opportunity to legally consider the impact decisions will have on the triple bottom line: business, society, and the environment. This differs from current corporate structures, which legally restrict the focus of the company to maximizing shareholder value. Benefit Corporations facilitate this triple-bottom-line mission by aiding organizations in reframing their usual business practices by incorporating commitments to greater accountability, transparency, sustainable business practices, and socially responsible initiatives into the bylaws of the company.”viii Design professionals should ask the companies that provide materials for a green projects for greater transparency and third party certifications of their green business practices.
Whole Foods uses a multi-colored brilliant recycled glass surface for window seating, serving counters and on tables. Their use of this surface throughout the Potrero Hills, California store as well as in other locations typifies the company’s commitment to preserving natural resources. Photo courtesy of Polycor Vetrazzo Inc. |
Conclusion
Sustainable design is a process that includes goals that go beyond the footprint of the building. Selecting finishes and new materials that mine their raw materials from waste make an environmental commitment. The development of a market for products that use recycled content from locally sourced waste will close the loop of our materials economy.
Providing a high end, up-cycled product from product that are thrown away today will help generate new green jobs for tomorrow. Recycled glass surfaces are a unique product that provides durable and elegant solution for interior surfaces.
Green Buildings, Recycled Glass Surfaces + LEED® |
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Even in this tight economy, the demand for green buildings continues to grow. According to the Green Outlook 2011, by McGraw-Hill Construction, this growth is projected to double in size by 2015. Green construction starts increased from $42 billion in 2008 to $71 billion in 2010, and it is expected to grow to $135 billion by 2015.ix In addition LEED® green building initiatives including legislation, executive orders, resolutions, ordinances, policies, and incentives are found in 44 states. Recycled glass surface may help contribute to up to 8 LEED points.
MR Credit 2: Construction Waste Management MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
MR Credit 5: Regional Materials LEED-CI MR Credit 5: Regional Materials LEED-EBOM 2009 MR Credit 3: Sustainable Purchasing-Facility Alterations and Additions Credits are highly dependent on exact product, exact project, and exact manufacturer. Complete information should be readily available and the design professional will need to ask for specific data on the amount of recycled content and location of the manufacturing plant. |
Vetrazzo® is the original recycled glass surface and manufactured in the United States using recycling from local suppliers. A gorgeous sustainable building material, it visually tells the story of recycling when incorporated into your design projects. We invite you to discover the endless possibilities of Vetrazzo, and let our story become yours. www.vetrazzo.com Vetrazzo®…A story in every surface.™ |