Page 346 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

Materials Pr oduction Industries 321

has an individualized “business growth plan” that guides their skill
development. The facility boasts a record of zero injuries, zero absen-
teeism, and very low turnover. And of course, everyone shares a com-
mitment to creating a business that operates in harmony with the
environment. The plant is surrounded by a pristine wetland preserve,
populated by native plants and wildlife.
In keeping with the eco-efficient plant design, the ULF insulation
product has strong DFE credentials from a product life-cycle per-
spective. As mentioned above, 60% of the glass feedstock is recycled
material. The product is free of binder chemicals and, therefore, has
negligible emissions of the organic compounds that must be reported
on U.S. EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory. Since the product is extremely
compressible, its compact packaging results in higher transportation
efficiency than competing products. When applied with a portable
®
Atticat blowing machine, a 35-lb package of R-19 insulation expands
to fill 106 square feet. Finally, if and when buildings are demolished,
the ULF is easier to recycle and remelt than conventional bonded
insulation products. In 2008 this product line was Cradle to Cradle
SM
Certified at the Silver level, in recognition of its environmentally
intelligent design.
The fanatical elimination of waste at Mount Vernon was perfectly
captured when we were being escorted on a plant tour by George
Bertko. He stopped in mid-sentence, noticing a small white piece of
fluff that resembled glass fiber drifting along the floor. “What is that?”
he asked nervously. The plant engineer was quick to reassure him
that it was only a bit of cottonweed which had drifted in from the
adjacent meadow. George sighed with relief as we continued our
tour—another day of environmental harmony.

References
1. J. Fiksel, “A Framework for Sustainable Materials Management,” Journal of
Materials, August 2006.
2. Five Winds International, “Eco-Efficiency and Materials” (Ottawa, Ontario:
International Council on Metals and the Environment, 2001).
3. Information about Alcoa’s sustainability programs is available at www.alcoa.
com/global/en/about_alcoa/sustainability/home.asp.
4. Information about Holcim’s sustainability programs is available at www.
holcim.com/corp/en/id/1610644016/mod/gnm50/page/channel.html.
5. U.S. EPA, Management of Scrap Tires, www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/
tires/.
6. J. Fiksel and T. Brunetti, “Key Performance Indicators,” in Battelle Memorial
Institute, Toward a Sustainable Cement Industry, World Business Council for
Sustainable Development, 2002. Available at www.wbcsd.org.
7. Information about Owens-Corning’s sustainability programs is available at
www.owenscorning.com/sustainability/.
8. Y. Zhang, A. Baral, B. R. Bakshi, G. Jakubcin, J. Fiksel, “Ecologically Based Life
Cycle Assessment” (Portland, Ore.: International Life Cycle Assessment and
Management, October 2007).