Saint-Gobain launches gypsum wallboard circular economy program in New York

Saint-Gobain North America, Malvern, Pennsylvania, through its building products subsidiary business unit CertainTeed Gypsum, in collaboration with three New York partner companies, has launched a circular economy initiative. The company has begun reclaiming scrap gypsum wallboard at its Buchanan, New York, facility and reusing the material as feedstock for new products.  

“As the only gypsum manufacturing plant in New York, our colleagues in Buchanan were able to create a true circular economy,” says Jay Bachmann, vice president and general manager for CertainTeed Interior Products Group. “From the creation of drywall products to the construction, to processing scraps and back into drywall production, the material is continuously used and never leaves the state. Our Buchanan plant has increased our capacity to reuse recycled material and we look forward to growing this successful pilot into a long-term program while working with builders and recyclers across the state.”   

The closed-loop project, hosted at the only gypsum wallboard manufacturing site in the state of New York, comes as Saint-Gobain rolls out its new global Grow and Impact strategy. This includes reducing waste and increasing the circularity of raw materials in its production processes, allowing Saint-Gobain to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2050.  

The initiative was launched in collaboration with Cooper Recycling and Structure Tone and facilitated by Lendlease. The gypsum material was separated and collected at the Structure Tone construction site, processed at the Cooper Recycling facility and then reclaimed at the Buchanan plant creating new drywall, thereby eliminating 20 tons of gypsum scrap going to landfill.  

“This holistic approach between stakeholders in the construction and recycling and manufacturing supply chains is an ideal model for the circular economy,” says William Cooper, director of business development for Cooper Recycling. “We are eager to expand these efforts and continue moving the needle on sustainable development in New York. With common goals of a more sustainable future, we believe that partnerships like these present incredible potential.”