Drywall Waste Blocks (DWB)

A novel masonry block system, made from a high percentage of gypsum drywall waste from building construction & demolition, and other waste-based materials. Half the weight of conventional concrete masonry units (CMU) and ten times the insulation value. Winner of the Architect Magazine 2019 R+D Award, and featured in the 2018 Make/Do exhibition at Washington State History Museum.

Drywall Waste Interior Wall Systems

DWB mixtures are being adapted for interior walls systems. Drywall Waste Wall systems are lighter weight than masonry, exhibit superior acoustic and fire resistance performance compared to typical steel stud interior partitions, and may be molded or milled to produce a wide variety of surface textures and sculptured relief.

Drywall Waste Insulation Systems

Insulation panels and blown-in fill, incorporating drywall waste with biopolymers and other sustainable binders. Research targets include: thermal and acoustic performance approaching rigid plastic foam; high degree of fire protection.

R-Value Testing

Reuse Design Laboratory facilities include apparatus used to assess thermal performance of wall assembles utilizing various drywall waste products. Apparatus and test methods conform to the ASTM 1363 standard.

Other Applications

We have developed proof-of-concept specimens for products ranging from wall and floor tiles, to vessels for potted plants, using similar mixtures and methods developed for DWB.

Research Pipeline

We interface with C&D waste recovery firms and industry trade groups to target other categories of problematic, low-value waste. While novel applications for gypsum drywall waste is the most advanced area of our research pipeline, we are also exploring recycling and reuse solutions for other C&D waste, including: asphalt shingles; painted and treated wood; polystyrene foam (aka, Styrofoam); and commingled ‘fines’, left over from material recovery operations.