Why is Fibreglass sustainable?
When it comes to choosing your Sports and Streetscape products, we make it easy for you to choose responsibly, which is why so many councils, architects and builders only choose PILA fibreglass products for their projects.
Sustainable Fibreglass - Manufaturing Facts
Fibreglass is much more sustainable than aluminium, steel or timber and there are significant environmental benefits of choosing sustainable PILA fibreglass products over metal and timber. There are no large smoke plumes or other forms of environmental pollution from the manufacture of fibreglass (GRP: glass reinforced plastics / FRP: fibre reinforced plastics) products.
Unlike the production of metal and timber products, the production process for fibreglass products is extremely benign. Even the production of the base resins and the glass fibre rovings have little environmental impact when compared to the production of steel for example.
As with most synthetic products the resins are derived from petroleum by-products. Although there appears to be little threat to the sustainability of Polyester and Vinylester resins and glass fibre rovings, research is continually seeking alternative raw materials that are able to provide similar or better qualities.
Development continues with the use of bio-composites and natural fibres. GRP / FRP Polyester and Vinylester products should not be confused with what is generalised as Plastics. The ester resins are more environmentally friendly and sustainable because they do not break down as quickly as the PVA and PVC products. Consequently, there is no continual need to manufacture replacement materials and dispose of or recycle the old. The recycle process alone creates a larger carbon footprint than the production of new GRP / FRP products.
The nature in which Plastics break down often results in the surface becoming dry, brittle and powdery. This powder ultimately disperses into the local environment when used outdoors. It is generally acknowledged that GRP / FRP Polyester and Vinylester products will have a service life of more than 50 years and many suggest a longevity of 100+ years, giving a greener and more cost effective product.
Sustainable Fibreglass - Recycling Facts
Because GRP / FRP products have so many great green benefits to the development of society and industry in general, there is continual research into the methods of disposal of waste materials. Fibreglass is more environmentally friendly, economical and resistant to corrosion than steel, aluminium and timber.
Fibreglass is not biodegradable as such, but upon disposal it can be ground down and used as a filler in concrete, since the glass fibres improve the binding capability of the mix, therefore it is a recyclable product. Another method of recycling fibreglass is by crushing old fibreglass and then through a process of filtration separating the strands and resin powder. The strands are then turned into chopped strand matting cloth and the powder into filler that can be used to thicken the resin.
Fibreglass has actually been recycled for decades. Fibreglass can generally only be recycled into more fibreglass or concrete-type products; it cannot be blended in with most other types of plastics. Earlier processes, used mostly in the boating industry, involved grinding up the fibre into a powder and using it as filler in fibreglass production. Today there are many companies throughout the world that make and distribute machinery that recycle fibreglass with a high degree of efficiency. Recycled fibreglass is less expensive and can be stronger, lighter and more durable. Recycled fibreglass can already be found in building materials, swimming pools, bathtubs, park benches and furniture, bus seating, stadium seating, household and industrial recycling bins and even boats.
Using fibreglass in lieu of steel, aluminium and timber also means there will be less demand upon our natural resources and a reduction of the environmental impact resulting from the production of metals and the disposal of their waste.
See some videos showing why fibreglass is better than metal and timber products…
PILA group’s sustainable fibreglass goal posts and flag poles are listed on the supplier database for the Local Government Procurement Program – Sustainable Choice – Local Government Purchasing for Sustainability
