The mineral gypsum has many uses in today’s society.  In addition to the manufacture of drywall for building construction, gypsum is also widely used as a soil amendment, in the production of cement, and as an ingredient in the manufacture of many types of commercial products.  Since the gypsum makes up approximately 90% of the weight of a piece of drywall, if the gypsum can be recovered from the drywall, the majority of the material can be recycled.  Scrap gypsum drywall is currently being recycled in several locations in North America.  Examples include:

• The manufacture of new drywall
• Use as an ingredient in the production of cement
• Application to soils and crops to improve soil drainage and plant growth
• A major ingredient in the production of fertilizer products
• An additive to composting operations

Despite its successful use in many locations, most drywall in North America is still disposed in landfills.  Challenges to widespread recycling include collection and separation, low landfill disposal fees, and the need for more education of potential end users of the recycled material.

More and more markets are putting programs in place to recycle drywall. In DFW area PremRock Drywall Services, has a recycling program for builders or homeowners. They place a container on job site, for drywall only. After installation of drywall, the container is removed from job site, and taken to a recycling yard close to Fort Worth. The recycling yard implements the same examples listed above. The Drywall is weighed, and a ticket is issued, for third party verification. This program helps builders, and home owners that are building a “LEED,” certified project.

American Clay natural Earth Plasters bring the appealing finishes of Nature to your Home, Office, School, Business, anywhere you want to add healthful beauty to your interior walls and ceilings. Manufactured in and using materials from the United States, American Clay uses natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and vibrant natural pigments in each of our three beautiful finishes: “Loma,” “Porcelina,” & “Marittimo.”

American Clay Earth Plasters surround your family or workplace with the warm beauty of soothing texture and rich color – far exceeding the interior surfaces produced by traditional paint, stucco, or other finishes. Earth Plasters are non-dusting, mold and fade resistant, repairable and moisture controlling.

Natural Earth Plasters from American Clay are easily adapted to Do-It-Yourself projects. The Traditional and Classic method of creating American Clay surfaces is non-toxic, easy to repair, easily reworked, and exciting to learn.

www.americanclay.com

American Clay may contribute up to 7 LEED credits (8 if you include the recycling area as all of American Clay’s packaging is recyclable), and 5 in most areas. For more information on LEED please go to:  http://www.americanclay.com/pdfs/LEEDPoints.pdf.

I Have worked with American Clay now for over a year, with many different home builders. All have absolutely loved the product, and were very surprised to see how easy it is to repair. Aside from this, American Clay is by far my favorite wall finish to apply.

PremRock Drywall Services, is a longstanding applicator here in Dallas/Fort Worth Area. If you need further information on this product, please email:  jim@premrock.com.