Environment & Health
Cellulose is one of the greenest products in the world
Cellulose takes less energy to make than any other insulation
Health
Cellulose fibers are classified as “nuisance dust,” that is, dust which while possibly irritating and unpleasant, is not a health hazard. Cellulose insulation fire retardants are also well-characterized and regarded as non-hazardous. The toxicity of boric acid, a common fire retardant in cellulose insulation, is virtually identical to that of table salt. Other cellulose insulation ingredients are equally benign.
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. 1
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 0%.
Cellulose insulation prevents the release of greenhouse gases (methane) as they decompose in landfills.
Using local recycling programs and independent recyclers and servicing communities close to home brings new meaning to the old slogan “Think Globally, Act Locally.”