One company’s sustainability vision and rising trends in roofing

By Dani Sheehan. 

Learn how USG is reducing its carbon footprint and what you can do to improve sustainability practices at your company. 

In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Stacy Simpson, sustainability manager at USG, to discuss valuable insights into the changing trends in sustainability within the roofing industry. Among these trends, Stacy and Heidi highlight the increasing emphasis on resilience, reducing carbon emissions and the integration of sustainable practices in roofing.  

Stacy kicks off the discussion by acknowledging the exciting developments in sustainability within the roofing sector. She shares, “For roofing and specifically for USG, we are promoters of protecting everything within the indoor environment. I think it’s more about designing for the elements and designing for the long term.” This emphasis on resilience and durability prolongs roofing materials and reduces the need for frequent repairs, which then begins to reduce a company’s carbon emissions. 

“We are reducing our carbon wide emissions throughout the company. We are working towards a reduction in our direct and our indirect emissions from the fuel we burn to the supply chain. Basically, every department within USG,” she shares. USG’s commitment to sustainability comes through in its products, like Securock® Brand Gypsum-Fiber Roof Board — manufactured from 97% recycled material, this cover board offers sustainable design for all types of roof systems. 

While smaller companies and roofing contractors may not be setting lofty goals for reducing their carbon footprint, many are thinking about how to implement better recycling of materials and keep up with industry mandates. One way to improve sustainable practices is through take back programs. As Stacy explains, “[USG] just came out with the wallboard take back program. We try to make it as easy as possible. You contact us and we work it out on a one-to-one basis.” They are working to develop additional take back programs, with a goal that these programs will allow all eligible products to be taken back instead of ending up in landfills. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about USG’s sustainability goals and how you can make a difference in the roofing industry!