As sustainability becomes a growing priority, architects, contractors, and building material manufacturers are playing a role in reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices. One material that can reduce waste is terrazzo. In this blog post, we will examine sustainable terrazzo options to craft durable and environmentally responsible flooring options that minimize construction waste.
The Role of Sustainable Terrazzo in Waste Reduction
Use of Recycled Materials
Terrazzo floors use an epoxy or cement binder and a mix of decorative aggregates. For epoxy terrazzo, more aggregate options are available. Some recycled options include:
- Post-consumer glass and mirror chips from discarded windows and bottles
- Reclaimed marble and granite chips from construction waste
- Recycled porcelain and concrete chips
By repurposing the aggregates for terrazzo, it helps conserve natural resources while reducing landfill waste.
Extending Building Lifespans
The construction industry has long relied on short-lived flooring options such as carpet, vinyl, and laminate. While these materials are often chosen for cost and convenience, they require frequent replacements, contributing to environmental strain. In contrast, terrazzo has a lifespan exceeding 100 years with minimal maintenance, making it a great sustainable flooring alternative that reduces the need for renovations and replacements.
Landfill Impact
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris accounts for over 600 million tons of waste in the U.S. annually. Terrazzo mitigates this problem by eliminating frequent flooring replacements, reducing the amount of material that could make its way to landfills.
Installation reduces material and construction waste
Overlaying Existing Floors
In the fast-paced world of construction, time and material efficiency are key considerations. Many flooring options often require extensive demolition and disposal; however, terrazzo offers sustainable solutions. When an existing floor is structurally sound, it can serve as a substrate for epoxy terrazzo, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming removal. By pouring epoxy terrazzo over an existing floor, this accelerate construction project timelines but significantly reduces construction waste.
Efficient Material Use
Even during installation, we are seeing terrazzo manufacturers developing innovative processes to optimize material consumption during the terrazzo installation, including:
- Premeasured materials for precise mixing to minimize excess
- Premixed aggregate blending for accurate on-site use, reducing leftover materials
- Waterjet-cut divider strips, which enhance precision and eliminate material unnecessary waste
Recyclability at End of Life
Terrazzo floors have a long lifecycle and can last over 100 years with proper care. Most flooring materials will likely end up in landfills; however, components in terrazzo can be recycled and reused for new terrazzo installations or other construction applications. This closed-loop cycle helps to further waste.
Moreover, terrazzo’s ability to be refinished, with no need for replacement, ensures that it can maintain its original appearance for decades, further extending its usability.
LEED v4 Certification: Terrazzo’s Contributions to Green Building
The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program recognizes building material sustainability through multiple credit categories. Projects using terrazzo can earn LEED points in the following areas (Source: NTMA.com):
Durable construction
- LEED v4 Credits: Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction and Construction and Demolition Waste Management
- Impact: Long-lasting construction eliminates the environmental impact of replacement. The flooring can be preserved even if the building is updated.
Resource efficiency
- LEED v4 Credits: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Product Declarations
- Impact: Terrazzo can be manufactured with locally sourced materials, lowering transportation emissions
Eco-friendly composition
- LEED v4 Credits: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Product Declarations
- Impact: Using recycled glass and other materials
Clean air
- LEED v4 Credits: Low-Emitting Materials
- Impact: Epoxy terrazzo contains zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with little to no off-gassing ensuring a healthier indoor environment
Green maintenance
- LEED v4 Credits: Green Cleaning – Products and Materials / Facility Maintenance and Renovations Policy and Green Cleaning Policy
- Impact: Terrazzo’s seamless surface requires only environmentally friendly cleaning products and low-energy maintenance
Possible LEED Credits Associated with Terrazzo
On a typical construction project, terrazzo can contribute up to eight LEED points, depending on the building’s design and material sourcing:
| LEED Credit Category | Potential Points |
|---|---|
| MRcr1.3 Building Reuse | 1 |
| MRcr4.1 & 4.2 Recycled Content | 2 |
| MRcr5.1 & 5.2 Local/Regional Materials | 2 |
| MRcr2.1 & 2.2 Construction Waste Management | 1 |
| EQcr4.1 Indoor Air Quality | 1 |
| IDcr1 Innovative Design | 1 |
MRcr1.3 Building Reuse Credit (1 point possible)
Terrazzo floors typically last the life of the structure. In many renovation projects, the original terrazzo flooring has been restored to its original luster following some inexpensive repairs and refinishing. Refinishing of terrazzo can be combined with the reuse of other non-shell areas like walls, doors, and ceiling systems to achieve 50% reuse
MRcr4.1 and 4.2 Recycled Content Credit (2 points possible)
Terrazzo allows for easy incorporation of recycled glass, as well as stone or marble that has been salvaged from other buildings and re-crushed and sieved for the terrazzo trade. One point is granted for 10% recycled content and a second point for an additional 10% (20% total) of the total value of the materials on the project. A floor containing 100% recycled glass would contain as much as 75% by volume of recycled product. Aluminum strips may also contain recycled metal. The credit is based on the dollar value of the raw material.
MRcr5.1 and 5.2 Local Regional Materials Credit (2 points possible)
One point is awarded if 10% of the project building materials is extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured within a 500-mile radius of the project and the calculation is based on the cost of the raw materials. The marble chips, glass aggregate, as well as the cement and epoxy binders are available throughout the United States. Terrazzo can contribute to the credit if the raw material supplier is located within 500 miles of the project site. A second point is awarded if the total percentage of the cost of regional materials is at least 20%. MRcr2.1 and 2.2 Construction Waste Management Cred
MRcr2.1 and 2.2 Construction Waste Management Credit (1 to 2 points)
Terrazzo can be a part of the construction waste management team and assist in the reclamation of waste from the construction process. In projects that require demolition of existing structures, the terrazzo contractor can be part of the construction waste management team – reclaiming aggregate and thereby avoiding disposal into the landfill. If desired, the salvaged aggregate can potentially be used in the flooring of the new building project.
EQcr4.1 Indoor Emitting Materials Credit 4.1 or 4.2 (1 point possible)
Cement based terrazzo systems are inorganic binders containing no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). The epoxy manufacturers of thin set epoxy terrazzo systems have moved to 100% solid formulas, eliminating the addition of any VOC’s in the material. Certification of compliance may be obtained from the individual epoxy manufacturer.
IDcr1 Innovative Design Credit (1 point)
Terrazzo can also potentially gain additional points under the Innovation and Design category for innovative performance in Green Building categories not specifically addressed by LEED. Extensive use of terrazzo as a predominant floor material can potentially result in an installation with a Life Cycle Analysis that exceeds that of other floor materials.
Conclusion
With the new wave of construction projects seeking sustainable practices, selecting a sustainable terrazzo floor is an excellent solution for waste reduction. From incorporating recycled materials to ensuring long-term durability, terrazzo contributes to a greener and more responsible built environment.
Looking for a terrazzo installer in the Southeastern United States, contact Doyle Dickerson Terrazzo today to discuss your project.