Simply sustainable is the PC version of our view on sustainability. What we really want to say is we are no bullshit sustainability. A review of our process is the basis for our views. It goes as follows:
Rain feeds the grass
Sheep eat grass
Sheep wool stores carbon (up to 525k tons of atmosphere derived carbon pa)
Sheep get a haircut
Wool is cleaned
Wool is packed with a 600 ton press allowing for some of the most efficient logistics in the world
Containers arrive in Oakland and are trucked to our facility in Reno
Fibers are processed using gas and electricity at <$12k per month
Finished product is packed and shipped directly to job sites
Our Fibers Are Produced Here
Mainstream Insulation Factory
That’s it; that’s all we do! We have, indeed, taken the time and spent the money to review this life cycle in the context of an environmental product declaration (EPD) with a focus on cradle to grave. What a disappointment the process and the insulation industry continue to be.
When measuring our EPD against fiberglass and mineral wool we rank lower. How is that possible? We can’t figure it out nor can anyone ‘in the know’. Likely it is just another instance of well intentioned standards getting repeatedly hijacked by big corporations that have much to lose if they can’t find a way to obfuscate the truth. On the one hand you can’t blame them; they need to protect shareholder value and this is part of the playbook. On the other, it is imperative to measure the costs on society of low grade, toxic products and ask who is footing the bill for these cheap products to remain pervasive in our lives?
At the crossroads is little ole Havelock with our notebook full of common sense. Nature gave us a fiber that has evolved across 1000s of years as an insulator. We do as little as we can to make it into insulation for you to protect yourself from the elements. Our mission consists of nothing more and nothing less.
In a rigged game we cant affect the outcome but we can at least bring more judges into the conversation and these days everyone sure has a voice……so let us know what you think. Do you care about sustainability? Are you willing to work harder to learn about better, long-lasting products and employ them in your project? And are you willing to push your builders and architects to do better? It is amazing how much positive change one person can bring to this equation – even if it is just one house at a time.
We’d love to hear what’s truly important to you. And as we continue to learn we will happily remain Simply Sustainable
Keep well friends,
-Havelock