NetImpact SLC was treated royally by GreenFiber employees during our on site visit on Wednesday, April 29th, 2009. The event was fantastic – we were greeted in person by their Frog mascot at the door and warmly welcomed.

GreenFiber™ website: www.greenfiber.com

Our group of seven NetImpact SLC members were introduced and given an overview of their business, followed by a tour. In one hour we were able to walk through their entire operation and see the incredible potential for a triple bottom line advantage created through recycling paper goods from paper towel tubes to cereal boxes, cardboard containers to regular office paper. (BTW, a triple bottom line advantage is when people, resources, and businesses all stand to benefit from an action.)

I have excerpted a few pieces from their website and have included them below for your potential reading pleasure. Many thanks to Becky for arranging this terrific opportunity to see how progressive businesses can be if they focus on being socially, economically, and ecologically responsible.

Established in 2000 and headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., GreenFiber is the largest manufacturer of natural fiber insulation, fire and sound products. With 11 manufacturing plants located throughout the United States including here in Utah, GreenFiber products are sold to building supply retailers, manufactured housing builders and insulation contractors in the U.S. and Canada. GreenFiber products are also sold through a national sales force to residential and commercial contractors as well as to the do-it-yourself and contractor customer.

GreenFiber has the capacity to turn what has previously been an environmentally-friendly "specialty" product into a major competitor in the building products industry. GreenFiber's natural fiber insulation offers environmental benefits on two levels: made from 85 percent recycled paper fiber, GreenFiber diverts millions of tons of paper from landfills; and, GreenFiber helps reduce energy consumption to heat and cool homes and light commercial buildings.

As a natural fiber blow-in insulation made with no harmful chemicals, GreenFiber provides a safe option for builders and DIYers. As a Class 1/A fire rated building insulation material, GreenFiber offers peace of mind.

GreenFiber™ is the manufacturer of natural fiber insulation, fire and sound products.

Today, there is a growing public concern for reducing damage to our environment and dependence on fossil fuels. GreenFiber responds to this concern by offering insulation products endowed with multiple environmental benefits produced in a virtually waste-free manufacturing process. GreenFiber manufactures GreenFiber Insulation for use in attics, floors, and walls of residential new construction and re-insulation applications. GreenFiber provides outstanding thermal performance, fire-resistance and sound control. GreenFiber's Insulation products provide a better barrier against air infiltration, filling gaps and voids. Consisting of 85% recycled content, GreenFiber Insulation is specially treated for flame resistance.

Benefits

• Deliver high-efficiency thermal insulation and effective R-value.
• Offer permanent and proven fire resistance for the life of the structure.
• Reduce nuisance noise when used in walls.
• Offer a more comfortable living space.
• Are made from 85% recycled paper fiber.
• Support energy conservation programs focused on environmental responsibility.

GreenFiber Fast Facts

• Since 2000, GreenFiber has diverted more than three million tons of paper from landfills, removing 3.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. This is equivalent to removing 1,554,404 vehicles from the road each year.
• One ton of paper diverted from a landfill saves 17 trees; saves 4,000 kWh of energy; can provide enough GreenFiber natural blow-in insulation to insulate the attic of a 2,500- square-foot home.
• GreenFiber natural fiber blow in insulation is made from 85 percent recycled paper fiber with the remaining 15% additive for fire and fungal resistance.
• Every American generates an estimated 4.4 pounds of waste each day. Refuse efficiency experts estimate that paper products account for almost 35 percent of landfill space.
• Some estimates indicate that Americans throw away enough office and writing paper each year to build a wall 12 feet high from Los Angeles to New York City.
• A home insulated with GreenFiber natural fiber blow-in insulation requires 26 percent less energy to heat than homes insulated with other insulation products (The Colorado Study).
• An estimated 65 percent of American homes are under-insulated, according to a recent study by the Harvard University School of Public Health.

For Energy Tax Credit Information, visit: http://www.greenfiber.com/homeowners/tax_credit.asp