Asphalt Versus Green Houses

A local Westin Hotel is working through a LEED AP consultant to help manage the building's efficiency updates. One of the major projects is replacing all of the windows.

When a friend of mine called to ask what they were doing with the old windows, a Hotel VP mentioned that the LEED AP consultant had made arrangements for the windows to be recycled through an asphalt company. The windows then become part of the asphalt placed on our local roads and driveways.

The sad part seems to be the popularity of this action amongst most LEED consultants to get rid of glass. Because its the simplest, easiest method without the consultant having to work very hard and still retain the majority of profit in his/her fees along with still receiving publicity for going green.

There are so many projects that would love to receive used/old windows. Just to name a few...greenhouses for local high schools, recycling back into other glass products, etc.

Unfortunately, the carbon and environmental footprint of asphalt production and use is far heavier then concrete thoroughfares.

We still aren't educating fast enough to understand that sustainability is finding the best practices along with finding balance. Finding balance in recycling glass windows should not be encouraging unsustainable practices.