Benefits And Process Of Recycling Of Insulation Types

Insulations that are the most viable to recycling are fiberglass and cellulose. In case of fiberglass, the proper installation is crucial in order to easily take it off in a reusable state. The cellulose insulation is already made of 80-85% recycled material. This one seems like a very environment-friendly solution and that's the option our group considered to apply in this project. However, after leaning on it, we researched that it is not a flawless material in the perspective of Eco friendliness. That's because an insulation of this type is naturally potent to fire and decay, as it is bioorganic. In order to eliminate this issue, a common practice is adding ammonium sulfate and boric acid. These are extremely harmful environmentally. Long-term exposure to boric acid is a topic of concern, as it is clinically stated that it's causing kidney damage and eventually kidney failure. Although it does not appear to be carcinogenic, studies in dogs have reported testicular atrophy after exposure to 32 mg/kg bw/day for 90 days. This level is far lower than the LD50. Therefore, we've decided to find another insulating solution and what we've chosen is seaweed insulation. For years, it was commonly thought that these seaweed were just a simple nuisance to the environment. That opinion changed recently, as more knowledge on this mysterious fussiest came up. German scientists have discovered that seaweed can be used for building insulation. It is virtually non-flammable and is resistant against molds. Thanks to its salt content of just one half to two percent, seaweed as an insulating material are resistant to decay. Those properties make it an outstanding material in the construction branch. Now, there is a downside - transforming this seaweed into a building material as insulation is a rather difficult task.

First of all, the sand present in it needs to be taken care of. According to Gudrun Gräbe of Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT), an organization that has already developed technique to manufacture insulation as an insulating material, the best way to remove the sand is by shaking them. Despite that lengthy process, its production does not entail the use of a lot of energy which makes it even friendlier for the environment. More research has been conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute and they discovered that this loose insulating material can hold an impressive 2. 502 joules per kilogram Kelvin. This means that it is 20% higher than wood or wooden materials. The fibers were also tested to be environmentally friendly and safe. The eco-INSTITUTE in Cologne released figures stating that the seagrass was free of extraneous or toxic matter. This is a great option for people prone to allergies. All of this makes it a great option for an eco-friendly building like ours. Can it be recycled? Not much information on such practice can be found online, but considering it's a renewable, totally organic material, recycling in this case seems to be obsolete. To sum it up, in our group's competition for the most sustainable insulation, seaweed insulation takes the first place also is perfect way in our case to fill up in to prefabricated elements. We need to remember that people spend most of their life time at home, so it’s really important how we surround our self’s. Let's move to another constructing element, which is bricks with mortar.

It is commonly known that bricks have a lifespan of more than 200 years. They can be reclaimed or recycled after being used in the construction of buildings, walls, paving etc. even up to 8 times. However, there are some limitations here. Bricks, like everything else mentioned here, can be contaminated with other elements of the building it's coming from, like plasterboards. It takes additional processing to remove it. Furthermore, assessing the load-bearing capacity of recycled bricks is a rather difficult task, which brings risk of miscalculation and eventually - a structural damage. In overall, reclaimed bricks are worth more than bricks which are recycled as aggregate. It is easier to source reclaimed bricks left over from new build projects, but more difficult with demolition projects. As for the mortar, it appears as lime is a much greener option than cement. According to a report made by David Adam from The Guardian, in 2007 cement production accounted for 5% of mankind's emissions of CO2. What's more, this particular industrial sector was, and still is, projected for rapid expansion, which equals to even more pollution. For this reason, lime mortar should be seriously considered. Lime is known to be used for at least 10 000 years, whereas Portland cement was only patented in 1824. The Pantheon in Rome is a great example of a lime-built construction, as it has a lime concrete dome spanning over 43 meters, which not only presents great aesthetic, but has survived for nearly 1, 900 years. Furthermore, countless old buildings in Britain were built with lime mortar, including much of the 20% of Britain's housing stock that predates 1914. Therefore, lime has already proved to be a sustainable material, but it is not the end of its pros in this context. It's important to note, that it requires less energy to be produced. The reason for that is its burning temperature. Limestone, the basic raw material for mortar, can be burned at lower temperatures than cement (around 950 celcius compared to 1300 celcius). During the burning process, lime absorbs a significant portion of CO2 being emitted as it hardens. Furthermore, lime can be produced locally, cutting the costs and pollution of transportation. In contrast to cement, lime mortar is able to accommodate structural movement due to settlement or temperature changes without significant cracking. This cuts the need for expansion joints, which restrict the lifespan of many modern buildings because the sealant filling deteriorates in sunlight and admits moisture. Lime leads also in the recyclement aspect, as at the end of building's lifespan, it is soft enough to allow the masonry to be taken apart and reused. Cement for the other hand, will potentially add to landfill problems for generations to come.

Arm in arm with timber, lime has ability to control moisture, which means it is compatible with low-energy, sustainable materials, such as timber or hemp. I think it is apparent, that the appropriate use of lime, therefore, can assist both in conserving our past and creating buildings that are more green-friendly in the future.