A prime example of the growing environmental consciousness in the building and design community is the recent increase in jobsite-waste recycling. In the past, most contractors simply sent jobsite waste to a landfill. Today, however, customer requirements, led by green building standards and the desire to be more environmentally responsible, are driving demand for the recycling of products such as used ceiling tiles.

Sensing this need, manufacturers, such as CertainTeed Ceilings, have developed construction-waste recycling programs. These programs accept used mineral fiber ceiling tiles that are free of mold or other foreign substances, such as chemical residue or heavy dirt, from contractors and re-use them in the manufacturing of new ceiling tiles.

Ceiling tile recycling programs are multibeneficial. For contractors, the programs provide an environmentally responsible method of construction-waste disposal, which prevents potentially several thousand square feet of ceiling tiles from occupying landfills. Recycling ceiling tiles and other construction waste may help architects and contractors earn points toward LEED certification under the Recycled Materials category. One point is given for diverting 50 percent of construction waste from the landfill, two points for diverting 75 percent, and an additional potential point, or “innovation credit,” for diverting 95 percent. Manufacturers benefit, as well, from ceiling tile recycling programs, which give them access to much-needed materials.

How it’s Recycled

Contractors will typically send a submission form and a sample of the ceiling tiles being removed from a project to the manufacturer (from whom they bought their new ceiling tiles) for approval. The actual recycling process involves mixing the ceiling tiles with water in a hydropulper machine to break them down into a slurry. The slurry is used to supplement virgin mineral fiber material in the manufacturing of new ceiling tiles. The elements obtained from the recycling offer critical mechanical properties similar to the virgin materials. Depending on the specific formulation of the product, the manufacturer will determine the amount of recycled content used in the manufacturing process.

Similar jobsite-waste recycling programs for gypsum wallboard and metal ceiling grid have proved to be equally successful.

The growing number of product recycling programs creates a win-win situation for the architect, contractor, manufacturer, building owner and the community at large. By choosing jobsite-waste recycling instead of traditional waste disposal, all of the project stakeholders are doing their part to build responsibly and preserve the environment for the generations of tomorrow.