Sustainable construction – reliable and easy to implement

EASY ECO by ISOVER and RIGIPS

Of all the challenges faced by the construction industry, the construction and use of sustainable buildings with the lowest possible CO₂ footprint throughout their entire lifecycle and, if unavoidable, deconstruction, is arguably one of the most urgent and complex societal tasks. This is a complexity that the companies ISOVER and RIGIPS aim to significantly reduce with EASY ECO. Through this initiative, the manufacturers have brought together all the information, measures and offerings that promote greater sustainability in construction, including the take-back of materials after deconstruction. Further details, including information on direct participation in the comprehensive recycling and recovery offerings, can be found on the dedicated service page: www.easy-eco.org.

"Our goal is to offer our customers comprehensive recovery options that free them from the pressure of the landfill ban in effect since 1 January 2024 and enable them to implement proven sustainable building concepts as simply and transparently as possible", explains Alexander Geissels. Sustainable construction becomes simple: through their EASY ECO initiative, ISOVER and RIGIPS, together with their recycling partner FINERT GmbH, are offering a comprehensive recycling and recovery programme, including the collection of deconstruction materials with a manufacturer's declaration. All information and participation options can be found on the central service page: www.easy-eco.org.
Maximum transparency and planning reliability: ISOVER and RIGIPS offer a uniform and reliable nationwide (excluding islands) pricing structure for the take-back of leftover materials, with no minimum quantity surcharges or hidden costs.
Photo: SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER G+H AG / SAINT-GOBAIN RIGIPS GmbH

Anyone setting out to plan and implement forward-looking buildings under strict sustainability criteria quickly realises that the devil is in the detail. What should be done with leftover materials in light of the 2024 landfill ban on recyclable construction products? Which building materials are advantageous from a life cycle assessment perspective? What disposal options are available for packaging materials or pallets? How can the costs of various sustainability measures be reliably accounted for in construction calculations? What manufacturer information is available?

"Taking the planning and construction of forward-looking buildings under ecological aspects seriously raises these and many other questions. This often complicates sustainable construction in practice and makes it difficult to calculate costs",”explains Alexander Geissels, Sustainability Project Manager at Saint-Gobain. "This is precisely the complexity we want to reduce with EASY ECO. In other words: with the Saint-Gobain brands ISOVER and RIGIPS, sustainable construction should be simple and reliable."

Six pillars for sustainable building concepts

The EASY ECO offering from the manufacturers is based on six pillars:

Waste prevention
Processing with minimal leftovers
Take-back of pallets
Packaging recycling
Collection of leftover materials from construction sites
Material take-back after deconstruction

As part of the EASY ECO initiative, ISOVER and RIGIPS guarantee to take back all ISOVER insulation materials made from stone wool, glass wool and ULTIMATE, as well as all RIGIPS gypsum boards and RIGIDUR gypsum fibreboards installed after 1 July 2023 during the deconstruction of buildings. "A take-back promise that we document, and participation is extremely simple. Construction projects and the products used only need to be registered at www.easy-eco.org. The user — typically the planner, architect, or specialist contractor — will then receive a manufacturer's declaration for take-back for the digital or analogue construction file. We are also working on continuously expanding the portfolio of materials eligible for take-back", says Alexander Geissels.

Similarly straightforward is the collection of leftover materials from construction sites. Collection containers can be ordered via the webshop of recycling partnerFINERT GmbH. The purchase price varies by material type, but not by processing location, and fully covers all recycling costs for pure material filling. "We are the first manufacturers to offer a nationwide, uniform, and reliable pricing structure for the recycling of construction material leftovers. As always, we have focused on maximum transparency and planning reliability." The collection of the containers prepared with pure materials is carried out by recycling partner FINERT GmbH within five to seven working days after online commissioning.

Free take-back of pallets and packaging materials

ISOVER single-use pallets, RIGIPS deposit pallets and ISOVER and RIGIPS packaging materials are taken back completely free of charge and can be ordered conveniently by phone or email. Alongside the often nearly waste-free processability of ISOVER insulation rolls and the waste prevention measures already in place at ISOVER and RIGIPS manufacturing sites to achieve zero-waste production, fully closed material cycles are realised.

SAINT-GOBAIN RIGIPS GMBH

RIGIPS. You have the solution for everything. #RigipsForEverything
Recognised as a system provider of high-quality drywall solutions by construction professionals, RIGIPS offers a wide range of gypsum and speciality boards, Rigidur gypsum fibreboards, profiles and accessories, as well as high-performance joint fillers and compounds. The tested solutions prove their worth in interior and exterior drywall constructions. Particularly, the system offerings for weather-protected façade constructions make RIGIPS the ideal partner for timber frame construction. With its continually expanding range of healthy-living products and highly effective fire and soundproofing systems, the manufacturer stands for maximum safety and comfort. The comprehensive product and system portfolio is complemented by a wide range of services and personalised expert advice, providing valuable support in the planning and execution of even the most demanding construction projects. At the same time, RIGIPS is committed to environmental responsibility, focusing on sustainable climate protection and the conservation of natural resources. For instance, gypsum board recycling options increasingly close material cycles, while product packaging made from recycled materials reduces the need for primary raw materials. RIGIPS has repeatedly been recognised as a "Brand of the Century" and is one of the most significant brands for modern drywall solutions in the German market. The company is part of the international Saint-Gobain Group.
In a nutshell: Rigips® – for better building for the benefit of people and the environment.

ABOUT SAINT-GOBAIN

As a global leader in sustainable lightweight construction, Saint-Gobain develops, produces, and distributes materials and services for the construction sector and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, lightweight construction, and the decarbonization of the construction sector and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process. They offer sustainability and performance. The Saint-Gobain Group and all its brands are driven by the shared purpose of "MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME".

€51.2 billion in revenue in 2022
More than 168,000 employees, represented in 75 countries
Committed to achieving CO₂ neutrality by 2050

Find out more about Saint-Gobain at www.saint-gobain.de
and follow us on LinkedIn Saint-Gobain Germany.

Further Information:
SAINT-GOBAIN RIGIPS GMBH
Schanzenstraße 84
40549 Düsseldorf
P.O. Box 11 09 48
40509 Düsseldorf
Phone: 02 11 / 55 03-0
Fax: 02 11 / 55 03-208
[email protected]

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