EnviroGlas

EnviroGLAS



EnviroGLAS tabletop in their office building lobby

Today we met with EnviroGLAS founder, Tim Whaley, and enjoyed a presentation provided by him and Esteban Diaz.  Tim describes EnviroGLAS as a "boutique" player in the hardsurface manufacturing industry.  Whaley has a background in Terrazzo and has applied his knowledge to this new type of material for use as counter tops, floors and shower surrounds.

Tim Whaley, Founder welcomes UTA graduate students

EnviroGLAS is a combination of glass and/or procelain and epoxy resin.  The high cost of the resin and short working (pot) life have made it difficult for other businesses to compete against EnviroGLAS.  Whaley has also filed for a product patent to protect his design and further exclude competition.

Terrazzo is made up of large aggregate, crushed marble or granite; small aggregate, sand; and a binder, typically portland cement.  In the EnviroGLAS product these are replaced by crush, washed and tubled glass for the large aggregate, smaller bits of this same glass replace the sand and the portland cement is replaced with a no-V.O.C. polymer-based epoxy resin which is dense, structurally strong and has high adhesion qualities.

The sources for their glass is a highly guarded company secret.  Originally their crush glass came from the Plano landfill.  Now it is sourced through glass recyclers who, tumble, sanitize, sort and bag the product that they use.  For EnviroGLAS to be able to turn out a consistent high quality product they have strict size, shape and density requirements their suppliers must meet.

Tim Whaley explains characteristics of EnviroGLAS products

They produce polished slabs (EnviroSLAB) in a standard 7' x 8' panel in various thicknesses to meet their customer's needs.  The fabrication process consists of dry mixing the aggregates and then adding the dry ingredients to the resin.  The combined materials are then poured and troweled into a wooden frame that has been treated with a release agent so the resin does not stick to it.  Once the slab has set up it goes through a multi-step process of grinding and polishing.  The slabs are sold to outside vendors that fabricate and install the finished countertops or shower surrounds.  It can be worked just like a natural stone material.  Because it has an 80% glass content it is resistent to scratches and heat and carries a Class A fire rating.

EnviroGLAS product sample display

EnviroGLAS has an expected lifespan of 75 years and is guaranteed by the manufacturer for the life of the building.  It has a higher density and hardness than marble and is easily repaired on-site, extending it's potential lifespan even longer.  EnviroGLAS costs about the same as high-end natural granite but has a lower cost of maintenance and ownership which makes it a less expensive product to use over it's installed life.

EnviroGLAS also produces EnviroMODE, a similar product that uses recycled porcelain from tubs, sinks and toilets.  The porcelain is a pre-consumer waste that is obtained as rejects from bath fixture manufacturer's quality control efforts.

EnviroSCAPE is a landscaping alternative to mulch and can be provided in a wide range of colors.  It does not absorb water, is resistent to being blown or washed away in storms and has been tumbled to reduce possible injury from sharp edges.

EnviroGLAS captures waste streams of materials from several sources and keeps them from ending up in the landfill while providing a high end, durable and beautiful product.  A classic example of using one processes' waste as feed stock for a different product.

For more information about EnviroGLAS: http://www.enviroglasproducts.com/