The Greenest Of The Green Weblog

At the Cellulose Insulation Manufactures Association (CIMA), we believe we have the “Greenest” product in the world.

Whether or not you are convinced of global warming, it is clear that mankind has had a dramatic effect on the planet, particularly since the Industrial Revolution. We believe that it is just common sense to select products that have a positive effect (and minimum impact) on the environment which is one reason we have started this blog.

While this blog focuses on Cellulose insulation, we encourage all commentators to submit other products which are “green” so we can start to build a list of those products which benefit the environment and perhaps also earn the title “Greenest of the Green”.

Why Cellulose insulation is the “Greenest Of The Green”

Cellulose insulation is made from a renewable natural resource which diverts waste from landfills. This not only limits greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing process but also prevents waste paper from releasing environmentally harmful gases as they decompose in landfills.This is in addition to the natural function of insulation to lower energy usage and thus save even more greenhouse gas production and emissions.

If all of the paper currently being put into landfills was converted to Cellulose insulation, it would save 7,030,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year! That’s the equivalent of taking all the cars off the road in Nevada and New Mexico.

Here are some key “Green” facts about Cellulose insulation:

• Cellulose takes less energy to make than any other insulation material. Fiberglass, the leading insulation among homeowners, has 10 times more embodied energy than cellulose and foam products have even more.

• Cellulose has the largest amount 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.

• Cellulose insulation prevents the release of greenhouse gases (methane) as they decompose in landfills.

• Cellulose insulation can naturally break down after its useful life unlike fiberglass which does not. In the event of a natural disaster, only non-toxic, biodegradable material will be spread around for clean-up and not something that will never decompose.

• 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.”

Currently, fiberglass is the most common form of insulation used in home construction and renovation. As you will see in posts on this site, the performance of fiberglass is inferior to Cellulose insulation especially when the temperature drops below freezing. Our goal is to educate and inform the community about the environmental impacts of the choices they make with regard to insulation.

You can visit our site to learn more about Cellulose insulation at www.cellulose.org