Do We Buy Fiberglass?
No, we do not purchase fiberglass waste. American Fiber Green Products (AFBG) operates similarly to a landfill in that we receive tipping fees and transport costs for handling fiberglass materials. These fees are structured to align with standard solid waste disposal rates, providing an economical and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional waste management.
Amour Fiber Core has developed and is actively testing a wide range of structural, industrial, marine, and commercial products, all of which are made from recycled fiberglass materials. Using cutting-edge reclamation technology, our patented process transforms waste fiberglass into valuable, durable products that can be manufactured and marketed cost-effectively.
In today's environmentally conscious world, finding sustainable alternatives to traditional raw materials is crucial. Each year, millions of tons of cured waste fiberglass are generated in the U.S. alone, adding to the overwhelming problem of landfill waste. At Amour Fiber Core, we’re dedicated to minimizing this impact by recycling fiberglass and creating eco-friendly alternatives for products across multiple industries.
Why Is There No Value in Fiberglass Waste?
Unlike materials such as aluminum or glass, fiberglass has minimal residual value as a waste product due to the high costs associated with processing it. While many cities have established systems for recycling common materials—such as aluminum cans through machines that dispense money—fiberglass presents unique challenges. There is no simple, scalable way to recycle old boats, bathtubs, or fiberglass components and turn them into cash.
At AFBG, we frequently receive inquiries from people interested in starting boat recycling businesses. Many are driven by environmental concerns, while others see it as a business opportunity. However, after stripping boats of valuable parts like aluminum, motors, and other metals, they are left with the fiberglass hulls and face the challenge of expensive disposal. Without a system in place to handle fiberglass, these entrepreneurs often find themselves with large quantities of material they can’t profitably recycle.
The Challenge of Fiberglass Recycling
Over the years, multiple studies have concluded that fiberglass recycling is both widespread and costly. Transporting fiberglass waste to recycling centers is expensive, and once it arrives, it requires labor-intensive processes to clean and prepare it for reuse. This involves cutting the material into smaller pieces, removing contaminants like wood, plastic, and screws, and ensuring that the fiberglass is free of embedded materials such as steel or other non-recyclable substances.
The combination of high labor costs, expensive fuel for transportation, and the complexity of cleaning fiberglass results in a negative economic value for recycling. At AFBG, we aim to keep our costs as close as possible to landfill disposal rates. However, when dealing with heavily contaminated fiberglass, we may need to request additional assistance from customers to ensure the material is processed effectively, keeping it out of landfills.
What Does Amour Fiber Core Do?
At Amour Fiber Core, we have developed and tested state-of-the-art fiberglass reclamation technology, which has been placed into commercial production. This technology allows us to reclaim fiberglass waste and transform it into a wide range of high-quality products, offering a sustainable solution to industries that rely on fiberglass materials.
How Does Amour's Recycling Benefit the Environment?
Yes! Our recycling efforts significantly benefit the environment by diverting fiberglass waste—such as boats, car and truck bodies, vehicle parts, jet skis, shower stalls, tubs, sinks, and resins—from landfills. By using these materials as the primary components in our manufacturing process, we are not only reducing the volume of waste that ends up in landfills but also preventing toxins from fiberglass and resins from leaching into our water systems and contaminating the food chain.
As we manufacture new products from recycled fiberglass, we are making a lasting contribution to protecting our natural resources, all while offering durable, high-strength products for a variety of commercial and consumer applications.