Since early 2009, Northfield, a subsidiary of Oldcastle APG, a CRH company, has been investing in research and development to find the optimum recycled material to add to pre-finished concrete masonry units.

Recycled glass that originates from the City of Chicago’s waste stream can now be added to these masonry units. Northfield works closely with the glass recycler to create a very specific aggregate gradation of glass. The glass is first sterilized at high heat temperatures, and then ground by a proprietary process into very fine glass aggregates. The glass aggregates are then incorporated into the masonry unit mix designs.

Chicago Green masonry units deliver excellent performance, and consistent high-quality that exceed industry standards.

Each 4-inch Chicago Green concrete masonry unit (cmu) contains up to 20% post-consumer recycled glass aggregate (by weight). The recycled content in each single 4-inch cmu is equivalent to 8 glass bottles.

Specifying Chicago Green can make a significant contribution toward achieving LEED® Materials and Resources Credits for Recycled Materials 4.1 and 4.2.

Oldcastle APG has conducted extensive research and testing with the Concrete Technologies Laboratory (CTL Group) in Skokie, Illinois and the National Concrete Masonry Association Research and Development Laboratory (NCMA) in Herndon, Virginia. The NCMA/CTL Group final test summary has been published, and is available from Oldcastle APG. Contact Oldcastle APG for details.

LEED Credit

• + 20% post-consumer recycled content
• + Leed® Materials and Resources Credits for Recycled Materials MR 4.1 and MR 4.2
• + Available in a variety of products

Your Project and LEED Points

• + Regionally Produced
• + Durable Materials
• + Made From Recycled Materials
• + Low Maintenance
• + Enhanced Thermal Performance

Oldcastle APG is committed to the continual development of high-quality products that facilitate green design and sustainability, creating products that have less environmental impact and lower life-cycle building costs. Our masonry products offer: recycled content, increased energy efficiency, low life-cycle costs, improved air quality, better acoustical environments and improved safety and security compared to other materials. Customers can choose from a comprehensive line of concrete design options. They can see how these products can work together to meet their needs.

Category: Materials & Resources

Recycled Content MR 4.1 Point: 1

Description: Determined by weight (%), the sum of the post-consumer recycled content plus one-half of the pre-consumer recycled content constitutes at least 10% (based on cost) of the total value of all materials used in the project.

Category: Materials & Resources

Recycled Content MR 4.2 Total Points: 2

Description: Additional point for adding more recycled content. Determined by weight (%), the sumof the post-consumer recycled content plus one-half of the pre-consumer recycled content constitutes an additional 10% beyond Credit MR 4.1 (20% total) based on the cost of the total value of all materials used in the project. Oldcastle APG can produce concrete masonry units (cmu) that contain a significant amount of both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content.

Category: Materials & Resources

Regional Materials MR 5.1 Point: 1

Description: Materials are regionally extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site. At least 10% (based on cost) of the total materials used on the project must be extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles from the project site.

Category: Materials & Resources

Regional Materials MR 5.2 Total Points: 2

Description: Regional Materials An additional 10% beyond Credit MR 5.1 (20% total based on cost) of the total materials used on the project must be extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles from the project site.

Oldcastle APG offers attractive and affordable masonry construction options that are manufactured locally.

Category: Indoor Environmental

Low Emitting Materials Adhesives & Sealants IEQ 4.1 Point: 1

Description: Description: Reduce the quantity of air contaminants that may negatively impact a structure’s indoor air quality and therefore improve the health and well-being of the occupants.

Oldcastle APG's sealant used on ground face concrete masonry units emits low VOCs, therefore, reducing indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and building occupants.