Green Facts

Going Green With Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose Insulation Green Facts

Cellulose insulation is one of the greenest products in the world.
Made from a renewable natural resource which diverts waste from landfills, Cellulose insulation not only limits greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing, but also prevents waste paper from releasing environmentally harmful gases as it decomposes.
 

If all the paper currently being put into landfills was converted to Cellulose insulation, it would save approximately 7,030,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. That is the equivalent of taking all the cars off the road in New Mexico and Nevada each and every year. 1
 1 (Sources: National Auto Dealers Association; Paper Industry Assoc. Council 2006; EPA) 

Summary

  • Cellulose takes less energy to make than any other insulation material. This is often referred to as “Embodied Energy” and calculates the total energy required to transport raw materials, manufacture and distribute the product. Fiberglass has up to 10 times more embodied energy than cellulose and foam products have even more.2
  • Cellulose has the highest level of post-consumer recycled content in the industry - up to 85% recycled newspaper. Paper is the largest component of landfills and producing Cellulose insulation diverts waste from the landfills thus saving valuable space. Fiberglass has a maximum of 40% recycled content and foam products have 0%.
  • Cellulose insulation prevents the release of greenhouse gases (methane) as newspapers decompose in landfills.
  • Cellulose insulation can be locally produced. Using local recycling programs and independent recyclers and servicing communities close to home brings new meaning to the old slogan “Think Globally, Act Locally.”
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