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Product Overview

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Approved by Subject Editors on July 15, 2005

Reviewed by Marian Keeler
EnviroPLANK is an epoxy-based terrazzo tile using recycled glass. The size of the "tiles" is 6" x 36" x 3/8" (nominal), really more of a "plank" style, hence the name, for flooring areas under 1500 square feet. The benefit is that these tiles can be pre-manufactured instead of being poured on site, thus minimizing VOC emissions from the product in its liquid state. The other EnviroGLAS product is a poured in place version (see companion review) which does pose some exposure potential to both installer and homeowner.

The environmental benefits of EnviroPLANK hover predominantly around the resource efficiency side. The glass aggregate used to make the product is 100% post-use (a mixture of both post-consumer and post-industrial glass) and the aggregate comprises 75% of the product. Up to 100% post-consumer glass can be specified but the color choices will be limited primarily to greens and browns in eight-ten color choices. The binder can be custom colored. The manufacturer believes a minimum of 50% post consumer glass is contained in the floor, unless otherwise specified. Its long life, approximately 40+ years, is also the herald of a resource efficient material. Because the product is extremely durable once poured and cured, the floor can be considered sustainable. The manufacturer claims that it won't chip, stain, burn or support bacterial growth. Terrazzo floors are also easy to maintain, requiring only a damp mop except in high traffic areas. After their useful life, they can be ground up and in theory, used to create new floors. LCA has not been conducted on this product..

As to its IAQ impacts, EnviroPLANK is inert once cured and the manufacturer claims that it does not contain VOCs, chlorinated compounds, no known carcinogens or teratogens. It conforms to the Green Guide for Healthcare standards, a rating system that is based on the USGBC's LEED rating system. (www.gghc.org and www.usgbc.org). Other terrazzo manufacturers have used a cementitious base for their matrix, EnviroPLANK's is epoxy-based, which does carry some IAQ concerns. Using epoxy avoids the issue of the alakali-silica reaction between glass and concrete, but epoxies frequently contain phenols and xylenes, two VOCs that should be avoided. One of the binders used for the poured-in-place product, EnviroGLAS Terrazzo, does contain xylene, but since the local installer will source the binder, the customer is able to specify using a xylene-free binder. Air sampling of a new building in Dallas where EnviroGLAS was installed was recently conducted, showing "good" air quality, according to the manufacturer. EnviroGLAS does plan on doing emissions testing at some point.

The product needs to be installed by a qualified professional tile setter using manufacturer ecommended mortar and grouts.

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Manufacturer Information

www.enviroglasproducts.com/

EnviroGLAS
5048 Tennyson Parkway, Suite 202
Plano, TX 75024
Phone: 972-473-3725

EnviroGLAS Products, Inc., a company providing aesthetically functional applications of recycled glass, assumes a leadership role in responsible environmental management. EnviroGLAS Products, Inc., manufacturing processes and end products are compatible with long-term sustainability, and reflect our core value of encouraging responsible and sustainable development with a focus on recycling in business, government and all other segments of our community.

While other businesses’ environmental policies complement their main function, our main function is our environmental policy. EnviroGLAS Products, Inc., holds the following items as environmental imperatives:

• Operation of our facilities in an environmentally sound manner, minimizing consumption and complying with or exceeding federal, state and local environmental standards.
• Conservation of energy and water by utilizing highly efficient machinery.
• Environmentally responsible waste disposal.
• Consideration of environmental costs, risks and impacts when making planning,
  contracting, purchasing and operating decisions.
• Education of customers and employees in the safe and environmentally sound handling of
  EnviroGLAS Products, as well as in general environmental stewardship issues.
• Commitment to buy, sell and use environmentally friendly products.
• Leadership on regional environmental issues, working cooperatively with and contributing
  to environmental organizations that promote global sustainability.
• A yearly review of the operation’s environmental impact.