Managing natural resources
The three main materials processed by Saint-Gobain–glass, cast iron and gypsum–can be recycled over and over again. The Group extensively promotes their recycling.
Secondary raw materials come from primary raw material waste - cullet for glass and ferrous scrap for cast-iron. Recycling secondary raw materials, combined with improvements in manufacturing processes, contribute to reducing the extraction of natural resources and the volume of waste to be processed. For example, 30% of the weight of a sheet of glass produced by Saint-Gobain Glass comes from recycled glass. Gypsum is also a material that can be recycled indefinitely.
Waste management in the Building Distribution
Building Distribution brands are also active in waste management: with over 400 tonnes collected from its customers in 2010, La Plateforme du Bâtiment in France is one of the most active merchants in recycling electrical waste and electronic equipment.
Brødrene Dahl in Norway recovers and sorts over 80% of its own and its customers’ waste. Other waste is turned into new energy that respects the environment.
