Tensar, a division of CMC and the leading provider of soil stabilization and earth reinforcement solutions, has secured Environmental Product Declarations for several of its high-performing products – a first for Geogrid products manufactured in North America. The news represents another step by Tensar to accelerate the development of more sustainable, longer-lasting roads and other forms of critical infrastructure.
An assessment of environmental impact is becoming a more common infrastructure design criterion in a growing number of jurisdictions around the world. The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) was created to provide quantifiable environmental information about a product’s life cycle which allows engineering decision-makers to easily compare of environmental impacts among similar products. The use of EPDs to assess environmental impacts such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) is growing rapidly, including in the construction industry.
Tensar recently completed EPDs for its stabilization geogrid product lines. The EPDs signify that these Tensar geogrid products are now in conformance with the stringent type III environmental declarations set by UL Environment and the International Standards Organization.
Why are EPDs Important?
Building materials and construction account for 11% of global energy-related carbon emissions. Reducing that environmental impact is becoming more and more important to doing business. EPDs provide transparent, rigorous data that allows specifiers and end users to compare how different products contribute to sustainability goals. EPDs also help manufacturers improve processes and material sourcing, as well as encouraging the re-use and recycling of construction materials at the end of their life.
How Do EPDs Work?
EPDs are based on Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) which gather information on the environmental impacts of products over their life cycle. The two-step process can take up to…
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