Education

WHY RECYCLE SHEETROCK


Sheetrock is approximately 90% gypsum and 10% paper. Gypsum materials consist of calcium sulfate dihydrate. Sulfate-reducing bacteria convert sulfates to toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. Gypsum put into landfills will decompose, releasing up to a quarter of its weight in hydrogen sulfide. Moreover, methanogenic bacteria also thrive in such an environment and convert the paper in the plasterboard to methane gas which is a potent greenhouse gas. This reality compels American Gypsum Recycling to remove Sheetrock from the waste stream and recycle it back into the agricultural and cement industries.

Sheetrock Recycling Benefits:

  • Conserves valuable landfill space while eliminating greenhouse gases (methane)
  • Cost-effective alternative to high disposal fees
  • Stops valuable LEED points from being “thrown” in landfills
  • Used in Cement Production and various other products
  • Agricultural Applications
  • Improves Soil Structure
  • Source of Calcium and Sulphur for Plant Nutrition
  • Improves Water Filtration
  • Helps Reduce Water Run-off and Erosion Decreases Incidents of Various Diseases

RECYCLING ECONOMICS:

Provides cost savings to local haulers. Through recycling Sheetrock, haulers will be promoting good environmental stewardship of our planet’s limited resources.

Sheetrock is one of the most recyclable post-consumer waste products. It allows approximately 99% recovery rates and an endless, closed-loop, recycling circle.

USES IN EVERYDAY LIFE:

Widely used in industrial manufacturing.

Used in cement, flooring products, turbid water to settle dirt and clay particles without injury to aquatic life, create surgical and orthopedic casts, the primary ingredient in toothpaste, FDA approved as a dietary source of calcium……

AGRICULTURE:

Gypsum provides calcium and sulfur – essential plant nutrients and used to improve soil tilth, reduce soil compaction, and improve soil aeration. Lime reduces pH in soil. Gypsum and lime are not the same. Different minerals for different purposes.

Finely ground gypsum is 200 times more water-soluble than lime.

READ MORE:

Grauki Gypsum Reprocessors Association

The Role of Gypsum In Agriculture

University Research

The Miracle of Gypsum in Salty Soil

Gypsum Spread on Farms Could Help Keep Water Clean, Not Green