Glass Recycling: Glass powder recognized as cement additive in CSA standard
Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) and the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) are pleased to welcome the recognition of glass powder as a cement additive by CSA Group. This important decision means a second life for glass collected through curbside recycling.
The recent publication of the new edition of the CSA-A3000-18 standard, Cementitious materials compendium, will provide contract givers with the assurance of standardized quality when choosing to include this innovative Québec ecomaterial in their concrete structures. Additionally, the standard will help build awareness and consolidation of this well-established cutting-edge expertise in Québec.
For the SAQ, this recognition reflects its ongoing work over the past years regarding the development of expertise in glass recycling in Québec. “For close to 15 years now, the SAQ has contributed to the Chaire SAQ de valorisation du verre dans les matériaux (SAQ Chair for the recovery of glass in materials) at Université de Sherbrooke. The group’s work aims to develop market opportunities for recovered glass. The new CSA-A3000-18 standard will enable the entire professional and student team to continue furthering their research”, said Ms. Catherine Dagenais, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Société des alcools du Québec.
For Professor Arezki Tagnit-Hamou, Chair for the recovery of glass in materials, this is an historic step: “The unrelenting work of our students and invaluable commitment of the Chair’s partners have been rewarded with the introduction of this standard, which is a definite milestone”, he said.
Université de Sherbrooke is proud to contribute to the advancement of leading-edge research in the recovery of glass in materials. “This Chair has major implications in the development of knowledge acquired since 2004, and the work done by Professor Tagnit-Hamou’s team reinforces the Université de Sherbrooke’s position as leader in research on concrete, the environment and sustainable development”, said Professor Jean-Pierre Perreault, vice-rector, research and graduate studies.
For several years, ÉEQ has promoted and supported glass recycling initiatives, including via our Innovative Glass Works plan. ÉEQ President and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Maryse Vermette, underlined the importance this recognition will have on the circular economy, saying: “The standardisation of glass powder as a cementitious additive will undeniably develop the market for the glass containers consumers put in their bins every week.”
Glass powder is an additive that is used in the production of concrete. It can be used in a great variety of infrastructures and equipment: sidewalks, skate parks, park benches, noise barriers, etc. It is mainly used as an aggregate with traditional ingredients in the production of concrete. It offers enhanced resistance and superior waterproof quality, and lower greenhouse gas emissions per cubic metre of concrete produced.
This recognition from CSA Group is a timely milestone for the recycling industry, for which 2018 has included various issues and problems. “After many surprises for our industry in 2018, we are very pleased to end the year with this piece of good news. By continuing to work together, we are confident that 2019 will bring a solution for 100% of the glass!”, concluded Ms. Vermette.
À propos de Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ)
About the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)
The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is a government corporation whose mandate is to sell alcoholic beverages by offering a broad range of quality products. The SAQ carries out this mandate through a network of some 400 outlets and 400 agencies. It sells more than 13,300 products from 81 countries.
Social responsibility is a priority for the SAQ, as evidenced by our strategic planning, which illustrates our commitment to sustainable development, specifically through research and development investments leading to opportunities in the reuse and recovery of glass.
About Université de Sherbrooke
Université de Sherbrooke is at the heart of the three major areas of research in Québec. Recognized for its avant-garde, ‘UdeS’ is a leading partner of senior and regional-level governments in the promotion of social, cultural and economic development. It sets itself apart namely through its innovative programs, the marked growth of its research activities over recent years, its successes with technological transfer as well as its initiatives in entrepreneurship and open innovation in collaboration with industrial and social entities.
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ÉEQ Source
Jacques A. Bouchard
Communication Advisor
514 987-1491, Ext. 247 | jbouchard@eeq.ca
Société des alcools du Québec Source
Linda Bouchard
Media Relations Officer
514-254-6000, Ext. 5385 | li.bouchard@saq.qc.ca
Source Université de Sherbrooke
Isabelle Huard
Media Relations Consultant
819 821-8000, Ext. 63395 | Medias@USherbrooke.ca