Masonry Magazine January 2010 Page. 26
BRICK AS A GREEN MATERIAL
Since materials vary in type and source among brick manufacturers, differences need to be accounted for. For example, recycled material has to be diverted from a landfill and culls from manufacturing must have gone through firing to be considered as recycled material (Figure 1).
2) The Utilization of Renewable Energy.
If renewable energy was used in producing the brick, the type and amount of this energy is reported and verified (Figure 2). Examples of renewable energy used by brick manufacturers have included methane gas from landfills and sawdust.
3) Reduction in the Amount of Resources Used to Manufacture Brick.
If the manufacturer demonstrates a reduction in the amount of resources necessary to manufacture a brick with fewer materials, reduced energy, or both, then the amount of material and/or energy is noted. Points awarded for resource reduction efforts may be available for a limited period, in order to reward those companies that continue to lower the amount of materials and energy used. Reduced resources include actions taken by the manufacturer to produce brick from less material, and/or to use equipment that consumes less energy use in the manufacture of brick (Figure 3).
The National Brick Research Center implements policy with scrupulous third-party review. NBRC DEVELOPED A RIGOROUS process to verify the environmental claims of brick manufacturers discussed above. The steps that brick manufacturers take to obtain, and maintain, certification are as follows: NBRC Reviews Brick Manufacturers' Documentation. The manufacturer submits a request form and background information for each brick or brick blend from a particular plant. The data will be reviewed by the NBRC. The center will then determine if any sampling and testing are required prior to the plant audit. If sampling and testing are required, then the NBRC will obtain those samples and complete the necessary tests.
NBRC Conducts an On-Site Plant Audit of the Manufacturing Facility. During the audit, NBRC will verify documentation; discuss recordkeeping requirements and any training required to complete those requirements; inspect locations of recycled and waste materials; and examine the manufacturing process. NBRC then will write a report detailing the materials and manufacturing processes, and proceed with the internal NBRC engineering review. In this segment of the audit, NBRC will confirm that the information obtained does not conflict with the ISO14021 document, the Certifying Brick-an Environmentally Preferable Product Policy, or the green-building rating