NAIMA Reports Recycled Materials Use in 2024

NAIMA recently announced the results of its annual recycled content survey, which reports its members’ use of recycled materials. In 2024, NAIMA members in the United States and Canada used more than 3 billion pounds of recycled glass and slag in the production of residential, commercial, industrial, and air-handling thermal and acoustical insulation.

More specifically, the data showed that in 2024, facilities in the United States used more than 2.2 billion pounds of recycled glass, while Canadian facilities used more than 386 million pounds. U.S. and Canadian facilities reported a combined use of more than 338 million pounds of recycled slag in 2024.

In Canada, NAIMA members used more than 386 million pounds of recycled glass in 2024, demonstrating the industry’s commitment to sustainability. This contribution highlights how Canadian facilities are playing a vital role in reducing landfill waste, conserving resources, and supporting a circular economy through insulation manufacturing.

Using materials derived from secondary sources not only reduces demand for virgin resources but also saves landfill space by diverting glass containers and slag from the solid waste stream.

Since the industry’s recycling program began in 1992, NAIMA members’ plants have diverted more than 106.5 billion pounds of recycled materials from the waste stream.

“This industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to using recycled materials in the production of these essential products,” said Curt Rich, president and CEO of NAIMA. “We continue to advocate for more glass recycling to increase sustainability. We would use even more recycled glass if it were available.”