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It’s not easy being green – Until now

We all want to be environmentally responsible. However, it’s not always straightforward, particularly in the building industry, when greener choices often entail incremental cost, compromising on aesthetics or supply difficulties.

To quote Kermit the frog, it’s not easy being green – until now.

Innovative Tasmanian company, Island Block & Paving has developed a range of blocks and bricks which are comprised of up to 40% recycled glass, derived from beer, wine and other waste container glass. Company founder and Business Development Manager, Phil Thurlow, hit upon the concept after becoming aware that recycled glass aggregate is used in small quantities in asphalt and pipe bedding. Keen to be green, he decided to experiment, and the result is a range of products that are not only helping solve Tasmania’s landfill challenges but are aesthetically unique and no more expensive than traditional building products.

Thurlow says ‘The benefits for the environment are twofold. The manufacturing process significantly reduces the 20,000 tonnes of waste glass currently going to landfill in Tasmania each year, whilst simultaneously reducing the use of natural resources such as sand, usually used in manufacturing these types of products.

The ‘Sustainable Products for the Future’ masonry products are the only bricks and blocks manufactured in Australia to have achieved Global Greentag certification. Thurlow says ‘The product is creating huge interest from architects and builder’s interstate trying to source unique but sustainable building products that meet their Green star design requirements.’ The bricks have recently been used in a number of exciting projects including stage one of the DHHS Tasmania Affordable Housing project as well as the Riverside Views Aged Care Home.

In NSW the Island Block & Paving ‘Bricks for the Future’ range is exclusively available through boutique brick supplier, MD Brick. Managing Director of MD Brick, Martin Driene, says they are proud to be able to offer a range of bricks and blocks that has both strong green credentials and a distinctive appearance and invites architects and designers to request a sample tin to see for themselves.

Island Block & Paving and MD Brick – making being green not only easy, but easy on the eye – Kermit would be thrilled.