The Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Office praised the efforts of Sika Sarnafil for its recycling program that has diverted 4 million pounds of vinyl roofing membranes from Massachusetts landfills since last year.
On June 12, Philip Griffiths, the Massachusetts Undersecretary for Environment, presented Sika Sarnafil officials with a plaque honoring these efforts.
Since it began its recycling efforts, Sika Sarnafil has recycled more than 1 million square feet of end-of-life roofing membrane and more than 20 million pounds of pre-consumer membrane, including material removed, recycled, and replaced at Boston’s Marriott Long Wharf Hotel and Target stores around the United States.
The Sika Sarnafil team worked with the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance and Technology to fine-tune regulatory and management strategies as well as the systems and technologies for the program.
Ian Bowles, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary said, “I am pleased that EEA’s Office of Technical Assistance and Technology was able to give Sika Sarnafil the assistance it needed to advance this innovative program. By reducing the amount of materials disposed of in Massachusetts landfills, this effort is helping to enhance the Commonwealth’s environment.”
In the program, Sika Sarnafil ships containers and pallets to contractors free of charge. The recycled materials are simply loaded and turned over to Sika Sarnafil with no disposal fees. Contractor labor costs related to recycling are minimal, if any, and are often offset by savings in municipal disposal fees.
Mark Franklin, Sika Sarnafil’s Environmental Health and Safety Manager, said, “The program creates a strong bond between the manufacturer, contractors, and the government with a goal to benefit the community. We are dedicated to sustainability and look forward to future work with OTA as we continue to address energy conservation issues.”
The company has contracts to recycle an additional two million square feet of membrane through the end of 2009 and will recycle more than three and a half million pounds of pre-consumer vinyl membrane.
For more information on this recycling program, go to www.sarnafilus.com/recycle.
The Vinyl Institute represents the leading manufacturers involved in the production of PVC/vinyl resin in the United States, and promotes the value of PVC/vinyl products to society.
For more information on The Vinyl Institute, contact:
Jeffrey B. Palmer
Director of Marketing & Communications
The Vinyl Institute
571-970-3327
jpalmer@vinylinfo.org
Also go to: www.vinylindesign.com and www.vinylnewsservice.com.