Design Life-Cycle

 Morayah Horovitz 

Cogdell 

DES 40A

4 December 2019 

The Materials in the Life Cycle of Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation holds an important role in the construction of buildings: to insulate the walls to maintain a room’s temperature or for acoustic purposes. Insulation is found in most all modern buildings, with fiberglass insulation being the most popular type of insulation. The commonness of fiberglass insulation makes assessing the product’s life cycle extremely relevant to most people, as the product holds a role in most people’s lives. Assessing a product’s life cycle means assessing the development of a product from the raw materials acquisition to how the product goes to waste. Life cycle assessments include the following steps: raw materials acquisition, manufacturing and processing, distribution and transportation, use and maintenance, recycling, and waste management. In all of these steps, various materials and energy sources are used and various outputs are produced. In the life-cycle of fiberglass insulation—especially during the raw materials acquisition and manufacturing steps—many materials are used including raw materials of glass like silica, soda ash, and borax as well as materials used to heat the glass during manufacturing like coal and natural gas. The transportation, distribution, packaging, and installation uses other materials as well, though less as the insulation is usually compressed. 

The lifecycle of fiberglass insulation begins with acquiring the raw materials of soda ash, alumina, borax, silica, and limestone. Though there are variations in the exact recipes of fiberglass insulation that the producing companies use, these materials are fairly universal. Some of the other raw materials sometimes include other alkaline earth metal oxides, feldspar, kaolin clay, and magnesite and nepheline syenite (Manville; “What is Fiberglass”). Soda ash, alumina, borax, silica and limestone all require mining, though through a variety of methods, and some require purification. Soda ash, for instance, is mined from trona—a sodium carbonate compound. Ninety percent of the United States’ soda ash comes from Wyoming, as the state has a very large trona deposit (“Trona Mining”). The remaining ten percent come from a company in California which uses a different system than Wyoming companies to mine the trona ore. The company in California mines soda ash from sodium carbonate-bearing brines or through underground mining methods (“Identification”). In Wyoming, the trona is mined through a room and pillar method, with “rooms” of an ore dug out while pillars of the ore remain standing to support the roof, in Wyoming with multiple entry systems (“Identification”). Then, the ore is crushed, heated to drive out the unwanted gases, and filtered with water to remove impurities (“Trona Mining”). Then, the water is evaporated and the remaining substances becomes recrystallized in a centrifuge to separate the soda ash crystals from any remaining water. The crystals are then sent to be dried, screened, and put into storage containers to be transported to a fiberglass insulation factory (“Identification”). Another major raw material in fiberglass insulation is alumina, which comes from bauxite. Bauxite is mostly found in tropical locations worldwide, with ninety percent of the bauxite concentrations coming from locations like Central and South America, West Africa, India, Vietnam, and Australia (Donoghue). Bauxite is mined through an open-pit mining process as the material is usually found near the surface (“Mining Process”). The open-pit mining process includes clearing the land of any vegetation/topsoil and any overburden, blasting and ripping at the ores with heavy machinery, transporting the smaller pieces to a crushing plant, purifying the material if necessary, and then transporting the material to an alumina refinery (Donoghue). Borax, another major raw material in fiberglass insulation production, has seventy-five percent of its production in either the U.S. or Turkey. The material is mined through an open-pit method as well, though sometimes “by pumping and refining complex brines” (“Boron”). Once mined, the material is sent to a fiberglass insulation factory. Another one of the major raw materials, silica, is mined from four main sources: massive quartz, quartzite, sandstone, and silica sand (Fragasso). The common factor between all of these materials is some kind of quartz, as sandstone and silica sand also consist of quartz. These sources are produced most often in the United States, with 43.7% of worldwide production in 2013, and in Europe, with 26.8% of worldwide production in 2013 (Fragasso). Limestone, a calcite-rich sedimentary rock, is mostly mined through open-pit mining processes, similarly to borax and bauxite; this process includes removing the material above the limestone, drilling and blasting the ore in order to create moveable pieces, hauling the ore to the crushing and processing plant, and then transporting the crushed/processed limestone to a fiberglass insulation factory. Similarly to the soda ash production process, another method of mining limestone is through room and pillar mining (“Limestone”). In researching limestone, there was very unclear and minimal information about where most limestone mines are located. Recycled glass is also used sometimes in fiberglass insulation production as a secondary raw material. In 1996, the amount of recycled glass used was over one billion pounds and in 2012 the amount used was almost two billion pounds (Crane; Bennett). Recycled glass, soda ash, silica, borax, alumina, and limestone make up the majority of the most important raw materials in fiberglass insulation, but other materials are often added as well. 

Once all the raw materials are transported to the fiberglass insulation factory, the materials go through the manufacturing stages: dry mixing, melting, the centrifuge technique, hot air blast, trimming, and packaging. First, the raw materials including silica, alumina, borax, limestone, soda ash, and others, are dry mixed. The materials then go through a melting process in a high-refractory furnace and then flow directly to the fiber-drawing furnace. The fiber-drawing furnace is a cylindrical container with small holes that rotates at a high speed with the strands of glass flowing out of the holes (“What is Fiberglass”). This technique is called a rotary or centrifuge technique, as the glass strands are created with centrifugal force (Manville). The filaments are separated into attenuated fibers by being subjected with a blast of hot air as they exit the fiber-drawing furnace (“What is Fiberglass”). The fiberglass is then trimmed and cut to size, with the trimmed pieces routinely returning back to the mixture melted to be used in a new piece of fiberglass insulation (Crane). Then, the fiberglass insulation is packed with materials such as shrink film and baling wires (“Process Data Set: Fiberglass”). Though it could be found that often some of the packaging for fiberglass insulation is recyclable, more information on the exact types of packaging were difficult to find (Crane). Additionally, information about the materials that are used in the dry mix machines, high-refractory furnaces, the fiber-drawing furnaces, and other machines used at the factory were difficult to find. However, information about the materials used by the machines was readily available, with hard coal, lignite, oil, natural gas, and electricity being used to power the manufacturing and provide energy for heating up the glass (Pargana). During the manufacturing stage of the life cycle assessment, the original raw materials go through steps to become fiberglass insulation and new materials are used in providing energy for the machines and in packaging. 

The final steps of the life cycle assessment—transportation and distribution, use and maintenance, recycling, and waste management—feature very few new materials. In terms of transportation and packaging, due to the compact nature and compressing of the fiberglass insulation, less transportation methods and less packaging materials are needed as compared to other types of insulation (Crane). As such, less materials like diesel fuel and propane—that run on fossil fuel combustion—are used at this stage of the life cycle (Mazor). In the actual use of fiberglass insulation, the next step of the life cycle, no new materials are used. Additionally, in the installation of fiberglass insulation, no new materials are used. Once installed, fiberglass insulation can be used for the lifetime of a building, with “an assumed 50-year service lifetime” (Mazor). One can assume that often, fiberglass insulation’s lifetime is even longer due to the product’s ability to be reused and its durability. The product also requires no maintenance and as such no other materials used at that stage of the life cycle (Crane). As the product can be reused, the product is naturally recyclable, so there are no new materials at that stage of the life cycle. There is only one company that actually has an official method to recycle fiberglass insulation, though the method’s use is not very widespread (Bennett). As such, the material goes to waste, where there are no new materials used. Though few new materials are introduced in these stages of the life cycle assessment, the materials that are used in these stages are comparatively less than the amounts would be for other sorts of insulation. 

The materials of fiberglass insulation receive the most processing in the raw materials acquisition and manufacturing stages of the product’s lifecycle. Raw materials such as silica, soda ash, limestone, borax, and alumina are mined through open-pit or room and pillar methods. Then, these materials go through dry-mixing, melting, spinning in the fiber-drawing furnace, blasted with hot air, trimming, and packing in the manufacturing stage. Other materials such as packaging materials and hard coal, lignite, oil, natural gas, and electricity are also introduced during this stage of the life cycle. In the distribution and transportation stage, Diesel fuel and propane that run on fossil fuel combustion are used, though less than they would be used for other insulation types due to the compressed nature of fiberglass insulation. During the use/reuse stage of the life cycle, no new materials are used as fiberglass insulation does not require maintenance or installation materials and can be reused. No new materials are used in the recycling and waste management stages of the fiberglass insulation life cycle either. Overall, fiberglass insulation makes extensive use of the raw materials acquired in the beginning of the life cycle through its long lifetime and reusable and compressed nature; thus, other materials used in providing energy in manufacturing and transportation are saved in comparison to other insulation types. 

Works Cited

Bennett, Sophia. “How to Recycle Fiberglass.” RecycleNation, ERI, 30 Sept. 2014. 

recyclenation.com/2014/09/recycle-fiberglass/.

“Boron.” Mineral Education Coalition. 2019. 

mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals-database/boron/.

Crane, Angus E. “Fiber Glass and Slag Wool Insulation: a Life-Cycle Approach.” Insulation 

Outlook, 1 July 1998. 

insulation.org/io/articles/fiber-glass-and-slag-wool-insulation-a-life-cycle-approach/.

Donoghue, Michael A., Neale Frisch, and David Olney. “Bauxite Mining and Alumina 

Refining.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American College of 

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 8 May 2014. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4131932/.

Fragasso, Dominic and Denis Blackburn. “What is Silica?” Energie et Ressources naturelles, 

Government of Quebec, July 2016. 

mern.gouv.qc.ca/english/mines/quebec-mines/2016-07/silice.asp.

“Identification and Description of Mineral Processing Sectors and Waste Streams.” U.S. EPA 

Archive Document, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

archive.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/web/pdf/id4-soda.pdf.

“Limestone.” Mineral Education Coalition. 2019. 

mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals-database/limestone/.

Manville, Johns. “Fiberglass composition for insulation fiber in rotary fiberization process.” 

US20060211562A1 United States Patent and Trademark Office, 21 September 2006. Mazor, Michael H., John D. Mutton, David A. M. Russell, and Gregory A. Keoleian. “Life Cycle 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction From Rigid Thermal Insulation Use in Buildings.” 

Journal of Industrial Ecology, 11 March 2011. Wiley Online Library, 

doi:10.1111/j.1530-9290.2010.00325.x.

“Mining Process.” Aluminum for Future Generations, The International Aluminium Institute, 

2018. bauxite.world-aluminium.org/mining/process/.

“Process Data Set: Fiberglass Batt; technology mix; production mix, at producer; The specific 

application will dictate the appropriate R-value for insulation and therefore the 

appropriate mass of the insulation..” North American Insulation Manufacturers

Association, 1 February 2019. gabi-documentation-2019.gabi-software.com/xml-data/processes/c0e76cf4-3394-4916-9f69-a5bcae916a6d.xml.

“Trona Mining.” Wyoming Mining Association. 2019. www.wyomingmining.org/minerals/trona/.

“What is Fiberglass Insulation Made Of?” Big City Insulation of Idaho. 26 September 2017. 

https://www.bigcityinsulationidaho.com/blog/what-is-fiberglass-insulation-made-of.

Ethan Walters 

Professor Cogdell

Design 40A

1 December 2019

A Look at The Energy Lifecycle of Fiberglass Insulation Production & Distribution

The fluffy pink stuff in your attic is not ornamental but a tool used in most modern homes. It's actually fiberglass made from tiny particles of glass and sand (or silica) as a barrier to protect against extreme temperatures. This material, first invented in the 1930s by the Owens Corning Company, is a reliable and durable source of insulation for long lasting home comfort (Ringler).

The production of fiberglass insulation, which has become a staple resource in building and home construction, is a relatively simple process of blowing molten glass and silica sand into a blanket (or loose fill) form, typically performed in a factory using automated equipment (Wilson). Although this process is not particularly lengthy, it can be very energy intensive. In order to accurately convey the energy lifecycle of fiberglass insulation, it is important to examine the entire process, from the collection of raw materials to the re-use or disposal of the final product. This will ensure that unintended consequences caused by the production or disposal of the product are accounted for and mitigated.

The creation of fiberglass requires mining and acquiring several raw materials such as borax, soda ash, alumina, and limestone; which require the use of Geothermal, Mechanical, and Chemical energy to operate mining and transportation machinery for harvesting these materials. The benefits of using materials such as milled limestone in fiberglass are controlled viscosity, increased durability, and chemical wear resistance (carmeuse). This saves energy by preventing the need for future replacements of damaged insulation. Although these raw materials are commonly used in the production process, recycled glass material may also be used to make fiberglass insulation. This more environmentally responsible option is slightly more complicated with the need to sort, collect, clean, and melt down existing glass products (Wilson). Both Electrical and Thermal Energy must be spent to complete the process of preparing this “cullet”(cleaned and crushed recycled glass) to be used for production (Wilson). However, there are several significant benefits from manufacturers using recycled glass. For instance, recycled glass reduces emissions and consumption of raw materials, extends the life of plant equipment, such as furnaces, and saves energy (GPI). It is also important that furnace-ready cullet is inspected for “contaminants such as metals, ceramics, gravel, stones, etc.” to ensure that the final product is not polluted (GPI).

Thankfully, this labor intensive process is made worthwhile due to the large amount of energy saved once the insulation has been installed: “According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), fiberglass insulation manufacturers make up the second-largest secondary market for recycled glass containers. This results in a product that saves 12 times the energy used in production within its first year of installation (Wilson).” By upcycling glass items and converting them into fiberglass, manufacturers are saving greater amounts of energy and decreasing waste. 

The most energy spent, however, is in the operation of the equipment used to make fiberglass. Electrical, Thermal, and Gravitational Energy play the largest role in the automated process when the cullet and raw materials are carried on an electrical conveyor belt through an electric furnace and “past a series of air jets that simultaneously spin out the fibers” (Wilson). These fibers are then “coated with a liquid binder” and broken down into smaller pieces (Wilson). Gravitational Energy comes into play most prevalently when “the cooling glass fibers fall onto a second conveyor belt below,” and are carried through curing ovens (Wilson). The process is completed once the blanket is cut into batts and rolls and then labeled based on its resistance to heat (Wilson). This allows for consumers or buyers to know how effective the insulation is at regulating temperature transfer. But the Energy cycle does not end there. 

After production, insulation is packaged and shipped to home supply stores or construction firms for use. This involves the use of Chemical, Electrical, and Mechanical energy most commonly associated with transportation in the form of cars, boats, trains, and airplanes which all use fuel to transport goods. The shipment process accounts for a large amount of energy used to carry the product to where it will be sold or distributed. This cycle of distribution is essential to consider when looking at the Embodied Energy of insulation’s life cycle since it may vary depending on shipping methods and overall distance in which the insulation must be shipped. 

Once the fiberglass insulation is distributed, it is installed in homes and buildings by a professional. Batts, which are most commonly used in home insulation are stapled or glued to the structure of the interior wall, attic or ceiling. This process using gravitational and kinetic energy secures the insulation and helps to control the temperature of the enclosed (and insulated) area (Ringler). If installed properly and kept away from moisture, fiberglass insulation is effective for 80-100 years after it has been installed (How Long). Its fire-retardant properties are another benefit to its use in homes today. This proves its durability and long lasting effectiveness. However, should the insulation become damaged or moist due to a leak or weather, it is no longer beneficial to the regulation of hot and cold temperatures and will need to be replaced. 

Assuming that the insulation is undamaged it may be reused in other buildings or construction projects, but this is not usually done since it is considered unsafe and may contain mold or asbestos which can cause serious damage to the lungs if small particles are inhaled. And as stated above, although fiberglass can often be made from recycled glass material, when it comes to recycling the used insulation itself it is nearly impossible to do in a way that is unharmful to the environment. Unfortunately, disposing of fiberglass insulation in landfills may cause toxic chemicals and small glass fibers to leech into the ground and cause serious harm to the ecosystem since it is not degradable. With the added force of Gravitational energy this leakage may pollute the groundwater and harm nearby species. Thus, it is important that fiberglass is removed and disposed of responsibly. 

This is a huge inefficiency that cannot be overlooked which is why Fiberglass insulation cannot be considered a “sustainable” material. While fiberglass may be durable and easily produced, the effects of its chemical composition are not worth the detriment it causes our planet. That is why the insulation industry has begun to look elsewhere, for more environmentally friendly insulation solutions such as soy based materials and wool (Hurley). Although it is not as widely used as fiberglass, soy-based foams are growing in popularity due to their many advantages such as: “high air sealing properties, Class 1 fire ratings, no off-gassing of chemicals and other materials that pose health risks, completely renewable composition, and long-term resistance to degradation” (Hurley). This simple alternative could drastically decrease the energy used on creating fiberglass insulation and cut down unnecessary waste and chemical emissions. Yet another potential solution is the use of natural wool, known its for “strong moisture absorption and desorption capabilities, lack of carcinogens, which eliminates skin, eye, or respiratory irritation during the installation process, and ability to improve indoor air quality, as wool absorbs indoor air pollutants” (Hurley). With these alternatives, the opportunity to protect our planet and reduce energy use as well as waste is an easy conversion. 

The use of fiberglass insulation is widespread and common in most homes. And although its benefits in temperature control and re-purpose of glass material is beyond that of others in its field. This does not excuse the unnecessary amount of energy spent on producing a material that cannot be renewed and continues to pollute our earth with toxic chemicals. 

Works Cited

Crane, Angus E., and Angus E. Crane. “Fiber Glass and Slag Wool Insulation: a Life-Cycle Approach.” Insulation Outlook, 1 July 1998, n.a. Web. 25 Oct. 2019. 

"Glass Manufacturing Using Lime". Carmeusena.Com, 2019, Web. 4, Dec 2019.

"Glass Recycling Facts | Glass Packaging Institute". Gpi.Org, n.a. 24, June 2015, Web. 4 December 2019.

Hurley, Matthew. "Eco-Friendly Insulation: 4 Alternatives To Fiberglass". Freedoniagroup.Com, 20, February 2018, Web. 4 December 2019.

How Long Does Fiberglass Insulation Last? Home Logic UK. n.a. 15, November 2018. Web. 4, December 2019.

Mazor, Michael H., John D. Mutton, David A. M. Russell, and Gregory A. Keoleian. “Life Cycle 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction From Rigid Thermal Insulation Use in Buildings.” 

Wiley Online Library. 11 March 2011. Web. 23 October 2019. 

Nishioka, Yurika, Jonathan I. Levy, Gregory A. Norris, Andrew Wilson, Patrick Hofstetter, and 

John D. Spengler. “Integrating Risk Assessment and Life Cycle Assessment: A Case 

Study of Insulation.” Wiley Online Library. 2 September 2008. Web. 22 October 2019. Ringler, Amanda. “What Is Fiberglass Insulation? How It Works and What It's Made Of.” RetroFoam of Michigan: Spray Foam Insulation Contractor, n.a. 17 Feb. 2017, Web. 25 Oct. 2019.

Ringler, Amanda. “When Did They Start Using Insulation In Homes?” RetroFoam of Michigan: Spray Foam Insulation Contractor, n.a. 29, April. 2019. Web. 4, Dec. 2019.

Schmidt, Anders C., et al. “A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Building Insulation Products Made of Stone Wool, Paper Wool and Flax.” SpringerLink, Ecomed, 13 Nov. 2003, Web. 25 Oct. 2019.

Johnson, Todd. “Learn About the History of Fiberglass and How It Is Manufactured.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, n.a.  25 June 2019, Web. 25 Oct. 2019. 

PPG Industries Ohio Inc. “Fiber glass composition.” US4542106A United States Patent and 

Trademark Office, 17 September 1985. 

“Process Data Set: Fiberglass Batt; technology mix; production mix, at producer; The specific 

application will dictate the appropriate R-value for insulation and therefore the 

appropriate mass of the insulation..” North American Insulation Manufacturers

Association. 1 February 2019. Web. 23 October 2019. 

“Process Data Set: Glass wool insulation; glass melting, fibre processing; single route, at plant; 

density between 10 to 100 kg/m3.” Thinkstep. 1 February 2019. Web. 23 October 2019. 

The Reynolds Company. “Fiberglass insulation coated with a heat collapsible foam 

composition.” US4839222A United States Patent and Trademark Office, 13 June 1989. 

Lauren Chun

Cogdell

DES40A

12/4/2019

Fiberglass Insulation: Wastes and Emissions

Fiberglass insulation can be found in most residential homes, and is used inside walls for its heat, cold, and sound insulating properties. As its name implies, fiberglass insulation is produced in factories by spinning molten glass fibers into a batt with many air pockets that promote insulation. Factory production of fiberglass insulation and its transport releases harmful wastes and emissions into the atmosphere, but its relatively long life span, low costs, and fire resistant properties make it the primary choice for homeowners. The makeup of this product requires specialized waste management in order to dispose of it, due to being potentially hazardous to humans and the environment. However, fiberglass insulation is typically made of recycled materials itself, and many are finding new ways to recycle the insulation into commercial products. This assessment will discuss the wastes and emissions produced during the life cycle of fiberglass insulation. 

The raw materials that make up fiberglass insulation are silica sand, limestone, and soda ash (bigcityinsulationidaho.com). Silica sand is typically mined in open pit operations and the demand for it has skyrocketed in recent years due to an increase in hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction (postbulletin.com). Silica in both its crystalline and amorphous forms are potential carcinogens, and industrial mines require millions of gallons of water to operate every day. When mining silica, air and water emissions occur. Particulate matter is produced from combustion sources such as dryers and sand blowing, and suspended solids and chemical additive discharge can also runoff to nearby water sources (pca.state.mn.us). In addition, the mining equipment used to extract silica sand release harmful diesel emissions such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (nettinc.com). Limestone, another raw material used to make fiberglass, is mined from open quarries in a similar fashion as silica, with similar emissions (mineralseducationcoalition.org). Soda ash, also called sodium carbonate, is manufactured by chemically converting trona, sodium sesquicarbonate, or a liquid alkaline feedstock. During this process, several air emissions occur. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide combustion emissions are released from manufacturing lines (epa.gov).

During the manufacturing process of fiberglass insulation, air and solid waste emissions occur. A typical fiberglass insulation manufacturing plant releases 630 tons of particulate matter per year, and 10,190 tons of solid waste per year. Most of the air emissions released during this process are considered toxic, and are released at multiple stages of the operation. During the batching process, the raw materials are combined before the melting process occurs. During melting, a furnace is heated using either electricity or fossil fuel, the latter of which releases sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter into the air. After the materials are melted, the molten glass flows into a centrifuge, where it is spun and formed into fibers by a blast of air. These fibers then fall onto a conveyor belt, where they interlace to form a fleece-like mass, also called a batt. This batt can then be used for insulation, or coated with a binder and cured into a more flexible batt. Lastly is the cooling process, during which cold air is drawn through the batt. During this process, chromium, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, particulate matter, phenolic compounds, formaldehyde, and phenol are released into the air, most of which are harmful to humans and the environment (epa.gov). Styrene, which is present in resins and gel coats, is also released during the curing process, along with volatile organic compounds that contribute to ground level ozone (epa.gov). Most of these emissions are linked to negative respiratory effects. One positive aspect of fiberglass insulation plants is that their emissions have a very small impact on water, as the hazardous discharge is heavily regulated to avoid adverse effects on groundwater, surface water and sediment (fortress.wa.gov). In addition, trimming, cutting, and packaging wastes are either recycled back to the forming process or are reprocessed into blowing wool, another common form of insulation. After the batts are made and packaged, they are ready to be transported and distributed to businesses and home improvement stores. The insulation is typically transported via freight trucks, which releases carbon dioxide emissions into the air. CO2 emissions account for over half of emissions from the transportation sector of the US, along with trace amounts of methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbon from burning fossil fuels (epa.gov).

As previously stated, fiberglass insulation is used in most homes in walls, ceilings, and other pockets to slow the loss of heat, cold, and sound. While fiberglass is a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant due to the small glass fibers and its containment of formaldehyde, it is usually safe once behind closed walls and installed by professionals. Batt insulation also has a relatively long lifespan of 100 years (moonworkshome.com), and its fire and water resistant properties are a major plus for homeowners. The signature air pockets of this product also rarely settle, leaving the R-value fairly consistent throughout its lifespan (usiinc.com). R-value of insulation is a measure of resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material (cellulose.org). If installed properly, insulation does not require maintenance and should only be replaced when damaged or old (insulation.org). After about 15-20 years, insulation in ceilings may succumb to gravity and begin to fall. It is typically unsafe to reuse fiberglass insulation due to it potentially containing asbestos, a hazardous substance that can easily become a carcinogen. While not all insulation contains asbestos, there is a much higher chance that older insulation does, and should only be removed by professionals in protective gear. In addition to asbestos, old insulation may see a buildup of particulate matter, moisture, and microorganisms, which can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. 

One glaring negative of fiberglass insulation is that it is nearly impossible to recycle, especially if it is used, old, or dirty, as mentioned above. There are few companies in the US, such as American Fiber Green Products, that are able to safely transform old insulation into “wood-substitute planks” (recyclenation.com). These companies are able to recycle trim and discarded fibers from manufacturing that would otherwise end up in a landfill, where formaldehyde and fiberglass shards would leak into the water supply and harm the environment. These companies claim that the only ingredient they add to the recycled fiberglass is additional binder, which makes up a miniscule amount of the final product after it has been compressed. The process also generates very little solid waste, as liquid binder and water used during the process are recirculated back, and boards that do not pass quality control are reprocessed. No air emissions are produced during this process as there is no melting process involved, as typical production of batt insulation, and thus is a low-energy process. Particulate matter is also regulated by a dust collector that targets edge trim, saw and sanding waste (insulation.org). While few companies have figured out how to recycle fiberglass, it is a tedious and often costly process that many do not yet participate in. Fiberglass insulation does not break down, and is toxic to the environment should it end up in local landfills. However, the fiberglass insulation in your home and many others are typically made of recycled glass already, and can contain up to 80% recycled glass. In fact, between 1992 and 2000, the fiberglass insulation manufacturing industry recycled more than 8 billion pounds of consumer glass products, saving space in landfills. According to the Glass Packaging Institute, “fiberglass insulation is the largest secondary market for recycled glass containers” (quteinsulation.com). 

Once fiberglass insulation has run its course and can no longer be used, it cannot just be thrown away like normal garbage. This may result in fines from local waste management, and may also have detrimental effects on the environment. Formaldehyde, a toxic chemical in the insulation, will leak into the ground and nearby water sources. Fiberglass also does not break down, and the glass shards are hazardous to health as well as to the surrounding environment. It is very important that fiberglass be disposed of properly. When removing fiberglass insulation, it is critical that it be done by professionals in protective gear, as moving old insulation releases harmful particulate matter into the air. The batts must be bagged to limit the spread of asbestos, formaldehyde, dust, and mold. Local waste authority must then be contacted to find the best method of disposal, usually a specialized waste location or materials disposal site. One downside of specialized disposal is that there is often a fee to dispose of fiberglass insulation, but it far outweighs the potential fines for incorrect disposal, or the detrimental effects it may have on the environment. In addition to specialized disposal, methods of recycling fiberglass insulation are on the rise, so it may be an option to deliver the old batts to a recycling facility where they can be repurposed (hunker.com).

While we may not see fiberglass insulation every day, it is a major part of almost all homes and buildings. It is responsible for regulating interior temperatures and sound, and has many properties that have allowed it to stay as the leading choice for homeowners for many years. Despite being one of the “greenest” options in terms of insulation, fiberglass batts are highly toxic and handling them should always be left to professionals. In addition, fiberglass insulation manufacturing plants still have a ways to go to combat the air emissions they produce due to the glass melting process, but they are taking large steps to limit solid waste, one of their largest sources of emissions. However, the fiberglass industry is a current leader in utilizing recycled consumer glass, and many companies are finding new and innovative ways to repurpose the insulation batts once their R-value has dropped. This also helps to solve the difficult problem of disposal, as the insulation batts should never end up in local landfills as they are toxic to the environment. As insulation repurposing methods continue to gain popularity, fiberglass batts may continue to be useful well after they are removed from homes, further increasing its already lengthy lifespan, and finding new utility in what otherwise is toxic waste.  

Bibliography

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