Dispose of glass wool / mineral wool - but where? Cost Overview

• When to replace glass wool "> process mineral wool
• Dispose of glass wool
  • Prices for disposal
  • waste separation
  • receipt
• Tips for quick readers

Glass and rockwool belonged to the "mineral fiber insulating materials". They are ideal as insulating material for many reasons. However, they become problematic when replacing: The insulation materials used until 1995 and 2001 are regarded as respirable and thus "potentially carcinogenic". Here you will learn everything about the exchange of mineral insulating materials and what costs arise.

Glass wool is actually optimal ...

Mineral fiber insulation materials are for many reasons far superior to their fierce competition with rigid foam boards. The advantages of mineral fiber boards over rigid foam boards are:

• incombustible
• Flame retardant effect
• Reusable
• Cheaper and easier to dispose of

You have disadvantages compared to the insulation boards made of styrofoam. These are:

• No pressure resistance
• Not a good reason for cleaning
• purchase price
• Elaborate and uncomfortable in processing and in exchange

Mineral insulation consists of molten, spun and pressed glass or stone. Both are quartz-based materials that are inherently completely non-flammable. This makes these insulating materials the styrofoam plates by lengths superior, which are increasingly discredited because of their flammability. This non-flammability also makes them ideal for use with fire partitions: In combination with a non-flammable plasterboard, mineral insulation creates real firewalls that can prevent the spread of fire.

Since the quartz material is not converted, old stone and glass wool plates can easily be melted down and processed into new products.
The prices for the disposal of Styrofoam have literally exploded in recent years. In addition, the disposal has become very difficult, since not all landfills and incinerator have the necessary approvals. Glass wool is much easier to get rid of.

However, the static-technical properties of insulating wool made of mineral fibers are problematic. They are well suited as interspace insulation, as an intermediate rafter insulation and as insulation for false ceilings. In any case, they need a support framework in which they can be installed. However, they themselves have no pressure or tensile strengths that would be technically usable. A basement floor insulation is therefore still useful only with the Styrodurplatten. There are solutions for facade insulation with mineral wool slabs. But even here, a higher technical effort must be operated, as in the simple Styrofoam outdoor plaster solution. In the case of external insulation with mineral fiber boards, only double-shell systems such as curtain plates or clinker walls usually come into question. But initial attempts to produce with mineral wool plates and normal thermal insulation composite systems as you already know with the polystyrene plates, are already running.

The insulating value of mineral wool slabs is also below that of hard foam. The difference is only slight. What is much more important is the purchase price. For comparison:

• 100 mm thick mineral wool mat: 6.25 euros per square meter
• 100 mm thick styrofoam universal insulation board: 0.90 euros per square meter

However, these purchase prices are not very meaningful insofar as they do not reflect the disposal costs of residual and existing materials.

When to replace glass wool ">

However, if an existing old mineral insulation wool must be removed during a conversion, it must not be reinstalled. Exemptions only apply to minor repairs. It is important to know the difference between "old" and "new" insulating wool. The reason for this is the change in the manufacturing process, which should significantly reduce the risk of cancer of the fibers.

Risk of cancer due to insulating wool?

The carcinogenic effects of asbestos are now considered to be certain. Legislators and industry have, however, for a long time been unable to agree on mineral insulating wool until a new standard was introduced in 1995. This states that all fibers below 3 microns in thickness are considered to be "respirable". This means that after inhalation these fibers are no longer completely coughed off or removed by the organism. All fibers with a diameter larger than 3 microns, on the other hand, are considered to be "non-respirable" and thus far less dangerous.

Starting in 1995, manufacturers were able to award their newly produced mineral insulation products with the corresponding certificate, which classifies them as non-hazardous. The previous insulation wool was still allowed to be produced and sold, but they had to be equipped with a hazardous substance symbol. From 1 July 2000, the production of respirable mineral wool is prohibited. From this follows the following distinction:

Until 1995: "Old insulating wool"

Basically, any type of mineral insulation wool, which was installed until 1995, as "old" insulation wool. During their removal and disposal special precautions apply

From July 2000: "New insulating wool"

When rehabilitating a building that has been proven to be fitted with insulating wool manufactured after July 2000, the precautionary measures for removal and disposal are less burdensome. Full protection is still recommended, as the fibers are very unpleasant on the skin. Against the itching, which can plague a worker after the expansion of insulating wool, help in the worst case, ointments.

Process mineral wool

Nevertheless, we recommend that you place the greatest emphasis on personal protective equipment (PPE) when replacing or demolishing insulation wool. A PSA for insulating wool works includes:

• a sharp cutter
• long-sleeved shirt and pants
• gloves
• headgear
• respiratory protection
• suitable bags for storage

For respiratory protection, the industry has developed the dust masks according to filter class: EN 149: 2001 or A1: 2009 FFP2RD standard. They cost about 7 euros the piece, but are reusable.

For the disposal of mineral wool, the trade provides special waste bags. They are provided with a print which gives information about the . These bags are available in different sizes:

Normal bags with 700 liter capacity: Graduated prices from approx. 2-3 Euro per piece
Big Bags with 2400 liter capacity: Graduated prices from 12 Euro per piece
The prices for these containers are very high, depending on how many bags are taken. Big bags, however, may experience a handling problem as they become very bulky when fully filled. The use of normal garbage bags, however, is not recommended. These bags tear too easily. In addition, these plastic bags can cause problems with the delivery to the disposal point.

Dispose of glass wool

Prices for disposal

The prices for the disposal of insulating wool are calculated by weight. The basic measure here is the ton. The announced prices of about 300 Euro per tonne should always be seen in relative terms: insulating wool is not a building rubble, in which quickly a ton of material can come together. Although the specific densities of insulating and glass wool vary considerably, they are still far below those which can reach debris from concrete, stone and mortar.

Rock wool has a minimum density of 22 kg / m³ and a maximum density of 200 kg / m³. The density range of glass wool is slightly lower at 20-153 kg / m. Calculated on a comprehensible volume: A full big bag with 2400 liters weighs therefore between 52.8 and 480 kg. This will cost the landfill between 15 and 150 euros. Therefore, replacement of the insulation materials will not fail due to the disposal costs.

waste separation

As with any disposal measure, the costs are largely dependent on the clean separation of the substances. Waste mineral wool is only and exclusively the residues of these materials. Plastic, foil, nails, stones, mortar or the remnants of the breakfast break have absolutely nothing to look for in the waste bags for insulating materials. Here, the disposers are usually not very accommodating. If mixed waste is delivered instead of the pure residues, then the waste is also considered as mixed waste. And that usually costs much more.

In particular, when renovating a roof truss it happens easily that the battens, shuttering, their screwing or the vapor barrier land in the same bag as the insulating wool. This should be avoided at all costs. It is better to keep a close eye on every sack before knotting, so you save a lot of money.

It is particularly fatal if the containers are contaminated with polystyrene residuals with polystyrene. In this point, the disposers are not very accommodating today. Such contaminated waste is not even accepted by most service providers. However, laminated insulation mats can stay as they are. Tear-off of the optional layer of plastic-aluminum foil is not necessary and is also not recommended because of the release of the fibers.

In addition, insulation materials are very light. Anything that is not insulating increases the weight of the garbage bags disproportionately and thus causes additional costs. This is especially true for building materials and metals. Not only can both be better disposed of by clean separation, but conscientious sorting can even earn money.

Metals are basically recyclable materials that every scrap merchant accepts and pays daily prices. The nails, struts and anchors with which the insulating wool mats are fixed to throw into the big bags is therefore a double waste of money: The weight of the bag rises and the valuable metal is not sold. This can be a very expensive fun, especially with stainless steel wall anchors. For this metal are quite 750 euros per ton paid.

receipt

Important: keep the receipt!

The proper disposal of waste arising during a renovation is very important. In the case of a notified or industrial measure, it is essential that all receipts from the waste disposal companies are kept in a safe place. The responsible environmental offices will want to check the professional disposal of the residues, especially in the case of public construction. An estimation is also made: The volume of free space, for example between rafters, allows the built-in amount of glass wool to be easily extrapolated. The quantity of glass wool disposed of on the receipt should be as good as possible, otherwise fines may be forthcoming.

Inexpensive and good for the environment

The disposal of insulating wool from glass or other minerals makes sense, as it eliminates a permanent threat to health. When disposing of the wool should be carefully separated from the other residues. Then the trip to the dump does not break a hole in the budget.

Tips for quick readers

• Always dispose of absorbent wool with the appropriate sacks
• Always separate residues from each other exactly
• Wear comprehensive protective clothing, especially for respiratory protection
• Do not replace glass wool with Styrofoam