The construction industry is one of the world’s largest consumers of raw materials and sources of waste – and buildings are a major reason why.
One explanation is that buildings have traditionally been designed with little thought given to future renovation or demolition – in particular, what would happen to the materials when that time comes and what impact that may have on our health and environment.
Fortunately, that is changing now.
Factoring in the lifecycle of a building
Building owners and occupants, architects, insurance companies, local authorities, and many others are considering the entire lifecycle of a building and asking important questions when considering building materials, such as: Are the materials used natural? How long will they last? Do they post potential health or environmental risks now or in the future? Can they be reused or recycled in the future?
With stone wool, there is nothing to worry about
For our stone wool building materials, the answer to all these questions is a resounding “yes”. Stone wool is natural, being made from volcanic rock; so durable that it can last 55+ years (and counting) without losing any performance; completely safe, posing no threat to our health or environment; and so “circular” that it can be endlessly recycled, also without losing any performance.
Our commitment to circularity
We also know we can do more. And we are. For example, Rockcycle – our comprehensive recycling service – is available in 17 countries now. By 2030, our goal is that it will be available in 30 countries. At the same time, we are working with authorities in these countries to encourage more recycling and less landfill and other waste disposal methods.
When it comes to designing and building our most important buildings, whether it’s our homes, our schools or care facilities, the kind of materials we choose matters. Not just to the performance of the building today, but its impact on the future.
