The Association of Wall and Ceiling Contractors support a pro-active approach to environmental issues, sustainable design and green building initiatives.  This Standards Manual summarizes a number of the environmental opportunities available when wall and ceiling industry products are used.

Various organizations, agencies, governmental jurisdictions and other sources have defined “sustainable design” and “green” buildings and building materials.  Such definitions include:

Green building consists of design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants in the areas of sustainable site planning, energy efficiency, conservation of resources, safeguarding of water, and indoor environmental quality.
- U.S Green Building Council

“Sustainable design” integrates consideration of resource and energy efficiency, healthy buildings and materials, ecologically and socially sensitive land-use; and an aesthetic sensitivity that inspires, affirms and ennobles; sustainable design can significantly reduce adverse human impacts on the natural environment while simultaneously improving quality of life and economic well being.
- Declaration of Interdependence for a Sustainable Future,
UIA / AIA World Congress of Architects, 1993

In the context of construction, a “green” or sustainable building is one that … “satisfies the physical requirements for housing human activity using resources efficiently and with minimum stress on natural systems – offering the highest environmental performance within the site, program and cost constraints.”
- Ray Cole
Continuing Education in Environmentally Responsible Building Design – Issues Report 1999

A large portion of the requirements for a sustainable building are the recyclability and the percentage of the recycled content of building materials and products. With respect to some basic materials included in the AWCC Standards Manual the following general information on recyclable and recycled content as it applies to “sustainable design” and “green building” is included as a guide only to assist the Design Authority.  Additional information on “green” building products and their recyclability or recycled contents can be obtained from the various product manufacturers, Gypsum Association, Canadian Steel Producers Association, and Steel Recycling Institute.

Most gypsum board is available with up to 20% post-industrial and post-consumer recycled gypsum.  Approximately 95% of gypsum waste generated during construction and demolition is recycled in many areas.  Synthetic gypsum is a by-product of other manufacturing processes, as well as pollution control devices on coal-fired power plants.  The later is often called flue-gas gypsum.

 Gypsum is banned from landfill disposal in many areas.  Depositing gypsum in landfill can result in the release of noxious gases, especially hydrogen sulfide gas, under wet and anaerobic conditions.

 Gypsum board using natural gypsum, synthetic gypsum or a blend of the two, meets or exceeds ASTM C36 product standards.  The physical properties, fire resistance, finishing and laminating characteristics of board using natural gypsum or synthetic gypsum are identical. 

The face and back papers of gypsum board are typically 100% recycled (post-consumer and post-industrial).  The use of recycled paper requires 27 to 44% less energy than manufacturing paper from virgin wood. 

 The cellulose used in fibre-reinforced gypsum panels is 100% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled newsprint and typically comprises approximately 10% of the board by weight.

 The main components of jointing components are Calcium Carbonate (limestone), water, clay and perlite.  A small amount of latex (glue) is also added to facilitate its adhesion to drywall and drywall-tape.  Joint compounds are formulated without asbestos.  VOC for drywall compounds are lower than 4 grams per litre. 

Steel building materials of all kinds including light gauge steel framing (load bearing and non-load bearing) are 100% recyclable.

More steel is recycled each year in Canada than aluminum, paper, and glass combined.  Steel can be recycled time and time again into high quality products – losing none of its basic properties during the process.  The recycling rate of steel in Canada is more than 65% and, since 1990, Canadian steel producers have increased the amount of scrap steel that they recycle by 26%.

 Particular steel products are not necessarily recycled to produce the same product.  However, almost all steel used in buildings is recycled after the buildings are demolished or deconstructed.

Zinc coatings can be removed and recycled.  Paint finishes on steel complicate the recycling process, and must be removed.  Removal of paint releases toxic vapours.