According to the latest National Report on the Characterization of Waste in Canada, in 2016, Canadians generated approximately 34 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW). Of this total, more than 25% of residential waste consists of building materials and glass.
If you are interested in this article, it is because you have the environment at heart. You have a renovation project and want to know how to reduce your environmental footprint.
First, don't be too easily charmed by new windows. The majority of damaged thermal windows can be repaired! In addition to saving the environment, you will save time and money.
Let us explain how to reduce your environmental impact by repairing your windows.
The environmental impact of window replacement
As you can guess, manufacturing a window involves several processes that are harmful to the environment. A new window requires the extraction and transformation of raw materials, for example wood, bauxite, oil, steel and silica.
Without forgetting the transport to deliver it to its destination. It will have to be transported by truck, over long distances, depending on where it comes from.
All of these operations require a significant amount of energy.
In addition, the old window will have to be discarded. Construction waste received annually by landfills includes aluminum, PVC and wood windows. They alone generate tons of lead, a material contained in certain types of glass.
Therefore, throwing out a window goes against sustainable development, because it is not always subject to recycling.
Window repair, a more sustainable alternative
No need to replace it with something new! Until recently, window restoration and repair was seen as a tinkering practice. Most people were unaware that this option could be so advantageous economically and ecologically.
In addition to avoiding sending tons of debris to landfills, reconditioning windows can give a second life for a fraction of the price, while increasing the value of a property or building.
In this blog article, we share the testimony of a customer who saved 70% on window replacement thanks to the repair! It's an alternative that is really worth it!
Repairing a window eliminates almost all of the waste normally produced by replacing it. As proof, each refurbished window produces only about 300 grams of waste. These include weatherstripping, sliders and gliders, which have reached the end of their useful life.
On the other hand, the energy consumption required when repairing a window is much less. The ecological footprint of a reconditioned window is tiny, compared to that of manufacturing a new window.
Do business with Basco Doors and Windows
Opt for window repair rather than complete replacement.
Call on our know-how. We proactively resolve issues to extend the life of your windows.
Don't wait and get your free quote!
Need additional advice?
Do not hesitate to contact our experts.