EnviroGLAS wins NRC award for recycling Dallas' toilets

NRC recognizes EnviroGLAS with 2006 Outstanding Market Development Award

After he saw a news story in 2002 about Plano, Texas’ overabundance of crushed recycled glass, EnviroGLAS® Products principal Tim Whaley was inspired to combine the multi-colored crystals with epoxy resin to create recycled glass terrazzo. In 2005, the City of Dallas asked EnviroGLAS what it could do with old toilets that were soon to be clogging the city’s landfills due to a new toilet replacement program. After a few months of investigation, EnviroMODE™ was born. This brand new terrazzo surface made from chips of used (and cleaned) toilets is stunningly beautiful, durable and eco-friendly. Now EnviroGLAS is the only company that makes recycled glass and porcelain epoxy terrazzo countertops and rectangular tiles. EnviroGLAS terrazzo surfaces are found in several international airports, schools, trendy coffee houses, corporations and non-profit organizations, and numerous residences across the country. They can also help contribute to LEED® certification in several categories.

Contact:
Tim Whaley
(972) 276-9451
tim@enviroglasproducts.com

Interview with Tim Whaley, EnviroGLAS Products

NRC: Tell us about a project that you are working on right now that you find particularly interesting and why.

I was approached by the City of Dallas recycling folks because they wanted to see if we could put old toilets to a good use. We crushed them by hand and incorporated the aggregate into a terrazzo countertop slab. The slab was installed as a countertop in a residential bathroom in the Chicago area, and will be the subject of a show on HGTV. Now we are machine crushing toilets, sinks and tubs into EnviroMODE and expect this product to do extremely well. I find this project extremely exciting because, like our recycled glass terrazzo products, we are finding new uses for materials that otherwise would be sent to a landfill.

NRC: What do you find most challenging about working on waste reduction issues?

The most challenging thing for us is that people think because we use trash in our products that they should cost next to nothing. Our product is hand crafted and color customized. We do extensive educational marketing. We send out thousands of samples each year. We pay our craftspeople a living wage. Our product is one of the most durable on the market, and its cost reflects those realities. We are changing the way corporations dispose of their waste!

NRC: What do you find most exciting about your work?

It’s very exciting to talk to a customer who “gets” our mission and our products. It’s thrilling when someone gets excited about what we are doing to beautify spaces by reducing waste.

NRC: What would you describe as your single greatest accomplishment in waste reduction?

Diverting 285 tons of glass from the landfill in 2005 to be used in countertops, floors and landscapes. I expect this number to grow each year, and to add many tons of porcelain as well.

NRC: What advice do you have for others who may be interested in replicating your success?

Develop your story and your mission carefully and then stay focused on it. There will be many who will try to divert you from your vision, but don’t allow it. Don’t waste time on people who don’t “get it.” There will be many who do get it, so just keep looking for them. When you find them, go the extra mile for them.