4 minute read
Sorting out recyclables
In the LBM and home improvement supply chain, aluminum, steel, glass, plastics, paper and wood are the predominant materials potentially recycled or recyclable. Aluminum, glass, and steel can be used indefinitely to manufacture the same kinds of products, and can therefore be truly recycled. For example, products like Maze Nails typically contain a high percentage of recycled steel, as do most steel products made in the USA.
sAYS "GREEN" like recyI \ cling-or so many people assume. Since the pioneering programs in the 1970s, recycling has become one of the greenest virtues we Americans can claim. However, all is not what it seems. Like most issues in the realm of sustainable business and green building, there are various shades of gray. not to mention green.
In today's green building and green consumer markets, "recycled" and "recyclable" have become the low-hanging fruit for marketers eager to pin green credentials on their products. But these attributes alone don't necessarily signify sustainable or green in any meaningful sense. Context is everything. What kind of material? What percentage is recycled, and is it post-consumer or postindustrial waste? How relevant is "recyclable" if in fact the material is not recycled? In addition, LEED guidelines vary by application and product type, so a building material with some recycled content may or may not earn LEED credits depending on how and where it's used. It behooves the merchandiser to dig a little deeper to determine whether these terms indicate real value or are simply "greenwash."
Generally, plastics, and paper can be used to manufacture things of lesser material integrity in a limited number of cycles, and are therefore downcycled. A great example here is Green Fiber cellulose insulation, which is made from more than 50% post-consumer recycled paper.
Whether a material is recycled, down-cycled, or even up-cycled, it's a good thing, since manufacturing from recycled feedstock is often less energy intensive than manufacturing from virgin feedstock. So, buying and stocking products with recycled content is a good thing, too. creating a market for such products and keeping the demand cycle going, so to speak.
But when evaluating products, all "recycled" and "recyclable" claims are not created equal. Post-consumer recycled content trumps post-industrial every time. Claims that don't make this distinction should be assumed, if true, to be posrindustrial. Is this still good? Yes. Is it the mark of truly sustainable product? Not always. Post-industrial recycled content is usually scraps and cuttings that may or may not be easily put through the
Jay Tompt Managing Partner William Verde & Associates
32r-0848 info@ williamverde.com
production process again. In some cases, such as "re-grind" in the world of plastics, it's easily reprocessed and is normal operating procedure. Generally speaking, it's also harder to earn LEED credits with post-industrial recycled content.
The term "recyclable" is next down the list. In fact, it's very often misused by overeager marketers and can be deceptive. If the material is recyclable in theory, but not in practice, then the claim is probably not worth the virgin paper it's printed on. In fact, deceptive claims of this sort violate the Federal Trade Commission's Guides for the Use of Environmental Claims. Where there is no recycling infrastructure, per se, a manufacturer may have a "take back" program, which accomplishes the same thing.
In sorting out product claims concerning recycled content and recyclability, manufacturer transparency and third-party certifications can help separate the green from the greenwash. It can also help to determine whether the product will meet your customer's LEED project requirements.
Great Southern Earns Patriot Honor
Great Southern Wood Preserving, Abbeville, Al., was recently honored with a Patriot Award for enabling an employee to serve with the National Guard or Reserves.
Jerry Jones, an outside sales rep for Great Southern's Glenwood, Ar., facility, nominated his employer for the honor and helped make the presentation. He has served in the Arkansas National Guard since 197 I
President and c.e.o. Jimmy Rane accepted the award during a July 27 customer appreciation meeting. He also received a lapel pin and certificate of appreciation from the Department of Defense.
"I love this great country of ours, and nothing is more important than giving of yourself through military service," said Rane. "It is truly an honor to receive the Patriot Award and to have a chance to publicly thank Jerry Jones for his service to our nation. We're proud to have him on our team and we greatly appreciate the sacrifices he's made to help protect our freedom."
Sawmills Installing New Equipment
Sawmills in Mississippi upgrading their production machinery provider USNR.
and Maine are seriously capabilities, according to
Rex Lumber is installing new equipment at the former Columbus Lumber sawmill in Brookhaven. Ms.
Upgrades include an extended length infeed reducer twin primary line outfitted with USNR's new precision geometric log rotation system, a carriage optimizer, horizontal double arbor shape sawing gang line, Quad Cam board feeder, Multi-Track Fence, 60-bin drag chain bin sorter, and MillTrak lumber flow management system.
Irving Forest Products, Dixfield, Me., is installing USNR's transverse optimized Edger Maximizer line to replace its 1980s edger system.
The system features an unscrambler with speed-up transfer chains, lug loader, scanner, dual positioning pin infeed to accommodate high speed processing, four-saw edger with picker tailer, and MillExpert optimization.
Green Dealer Sprouts in Austin
House + Earth, Austin, Tx., has been opened by Zach House and Scott Kuryak, specializing in green building materials.
The shop has 6,000 sq. ft. of retail space plus 2,500 sq. ft. for product demonstrations and workshops.
The NAWLA Traders Market is the premier tradeshow devoted to the sale and distribution of lumber and related products, both softwoods and hardwoods.
The Traders Market Advantage:
. Exceptional Value and Affordability
. Unlimited Networking Opportunities
Excellent Access to the Entire Supply Chain
New this year:
. New Product Showcase
Enhanced global programming
Keynote Speaker
Jim "The Rookie" Morris
Sales Training by David Kahle
Complete information and registration available at www.nawlatradersma rket.com
800-527 -8258 i nfo@nawla.org
