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Insulation and The Environment

Fiber glass and rock and slag wool insulations benefit the environment in a number of ways. Insulation is a key to energy efficiency in commercial, residential and industrial facilities of all kinds. Insulation in factories can help reduce emissions of green house and other gases, and reduce energy consumption. Because these products use a high level of post-consumer, recycled products, NAIMA members help reduce reliance on virgin resources. For more on the many environmental benefits of these products, visit our section on the environment by clicking here.

There are a number of so-called green products on the market, but to be truly environmentally friendly a product must do more than just use recycled goods. Fiber glass and mineral wool insulation manufacturers have improved their manufacturing processes to reduce transportation loads and energy usage. Because these products are highly compact, fewer bags are needed on the jobsite and packaging these products creates less waste.

Fiber glass relies on post-consumer glass and uses millions of pounds every year, creating one of the largest markets for recycled glass according to the Glass Packaging Institute. Since glass is made from sand, any new glass used in insulation comes from a rapidly renewable resource, unlike insulation products that rely on secondary wood products as their base material.

Slag wool insulation uses raw materials derived from a secondary source - blast furnace slag - and does not deplete any natural resources. In many cases, NAIMA members recover blast furnace slag from landfills to use in their manufacturing process. For more on fiber glass and mineral wool insulation and the environment, click here.