Since early 2009, Northfield 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.
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
Northfield 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 Northfield.
