CANTON, MA – June 12, 2009 - Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles today praised the industry leading efforts of Sika Sarnafil, the first U.S. – based company to introduce a recycling program for commercial vinyl roofing membranes. The Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling program is designed to keep end of life vinyl roofing membranes away from overburdened landfills. The company has recycled over one million square feet of “end of life” roofing membrane and more than 20 million pounds of pre-consumer membrane since it began its recycling efforts, including material removed, recycled and replaced at Boston’s Marriott Long Wharf Hotel and Target Stores around the U.S.Â
“With this groundbreaking resource recovery program, Sika Sarnafil is literally taking recycling to new heights,” said Secretary Bowles. “I am pleased that EEA’s Office of Technical Assistance and Technology was able to give Sika Sarnafil the assistance it needed to advance this innovative program. By reducing the amount of material disposed of in Massachusetts landfills, this effort is helping to enhance the Commonwealth’s environment.”
During development of the Roof Recycling Program, the Sika Sarnafil team worked with the Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA), a division of EEA, to fine–tune regulatory and management strategies as well as the systems and technologies for the program.
“Sika Sarnafil’s Roof Recycling Program creates a strong bond between the manufacturer, contractors and the government with a goal to benefit the community,” said Mark Franklin, Environmental Health and Safety Manager at Sika Sarnafil. “We are dedicated to sustainability and look forward to future work with OTA as we continue to address energy conservation issues.”
The Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling Program is streamlined and simple making it easy for contractors to participate. Sika Sarnafil ships containers and pallets to contractors free of charge. The recycled materials are simply loaded and turned over to Sika Sarnafil with no disposal fees. Contractor labor costs related to recycling are minimal, if any, and are often offset by savings in municipal disposal fees. Contractors interested in learning more can visit www.sarnafilus.com/recycle &&a href="http://www.SikaSarnafil.com/recycling">http://www.SikaSarnafil.com/recycling> .
Sika Sarnafil’s energy saving, roofing and waterproofing systems have an extended service life and have been sustainable components of commercial and industrial buildings for over 45 years. With the addition of the recycling program, Sika Sarnafil’s systems can help building owners achieve their sustainability goals of energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction, waste minimization and environmentally preferable products.
The company has contracts to recycle an additional two million square feet of membrane through the end of 2009 and will recycle more than three and a half million pounds of pre-consumer vinyl membranes.
About The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Headed by Secretary Ian Bowles, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is a Cabinet-level office that oversees the state’s six environmental and energy agencies: the Departments of Agricultural Resources, Conservation and Recreation, Energy Resources, Environmental Protection, Fish and Game, and Public Utilities. .
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About The Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA)
The Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA) is a division of EEA that helps businesses and other organizations improve their environmental performance as well as conserve energy, water and other resources. OTA promotes the implementation of management strategies, systems and technologies that enable businesses to enhance their competitiveness as they reduce use of toxic chemicals, prevent pollution, conserve resources, and ensure worker health and safety. For nearly two decades, OTA has been a cornerstone of the Commonwealth's efforts to provide citizens with a cleaner and healthier environment. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/eea/ota &&a href="http://www.mass.gov/eea/ota">http://www.mass.gov/eea/ota> .
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About Sika AG
Sika AG, headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, is a globally active company supplying the specialty chemicals market. It is a leader in processing materials used in sealing, bonding, damping, reinforcing and protecting load-bearing structures in construction (buildings and infrastructure construction) and in industry (vehicle, building component and equipment construction). Sika’s product lines feature high-quality concrete admixtures, specialty mortars, sealants and adhesives, damping and reinforcing materials, structural strengthening systems, industrial flooring and roofing and waterproofing membranes. Sika AG has subsidiaries in more than 70 countries worldwide, including Canton, MA and approximately 11,000 employees link customers directly to Sika and guarantee the success of all of its business relationships. With this business structure, Sika generates annual sales of CHF 4 billion.
For more information about Sika Sarnafil in the U.S., visit www.sikacorp.com &&a href="http://www.sikacorp.com">http://www.sikacorp.com> .
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