CROSSVILLE, TENN.— Crossville has launched what it calls a “revolutionary” tile take-back program, which, the manufacturer says, has solved one of the major environmental problems facing the tile industry today— recycling used tile.

Until now, pre- and postconsumer tile have been considered non-recyclable, noted James Durbin, Crossville’s vice president of manufacturing. “While many tile manufacturers— including Crossville— have successfully reused scrap powders and unfired tile, hundreds of millions of pounds of damaged or otherwise unsellable fired tile (tile in its finished state), have gone to landfills each year. Additionally, there has been no environmentally friendly manner to dispose of previously installed tile that has been removed for remodeling and renovation.”

Working with CEMCO, a company specializing in the crushing of aggregate and recycled materials, Crossville has developed a proprietary system of processing ceramic and porcelain tile back into powder to manufacture new tile. The resulting new products will have a verifiable recycled content, and more than 4 million pounds of tile that Crossville has previously sent to local landfills will be recycled, he said. “This is in addition to any tile Crossville will receive through its tile take-back program.”

Neil Hise, CEMCO’s president, said, “As a green application, we understood that not only did the process need to eliminate the waste disposal issue, but that the process needed to be as energy efficient as possible. We’re glad Crossville put its faith in us and that the results have been so favorable.”

Not only will the new process allow Crossville to repurpose its own scrap tile, Durbin added, it will allow the company to take back samples and installed tile, always a concern for environmentally minded designers.

In other news, Crossville has created Echo recycled glass tile for floors, walls and countertops. Crafted by artisans using centuries-old techniques, Echo tile contains a recycled content of up to 100%, depending on color (SCS certification pending). Designed by color expert Barbara Schirmeister, the line has a clear quality, which is unusual for recycled glass. It is available in 15 colors, including white, black, red, soft blues, greens and ambers; comes in three finishes—clear, iridescent and a frosted matte— and in four sizes: 1 x 1, 1 x 3, 2 x 2 and 2 x 4, plus listellos.

“It’s rare to find the beauty of cast glass in a recycled product,” Schirmeister said, “yet, because Echo tile is made of cast, translucent glass that is textured front and back, it captures, refracts, bends and twists light in wondrous ways.”

Finally, Crossville has introduced Color Blox EC, a porcelain stone tile with 20% recycled content and third-party certification, which can contribute to LEED MR 4.1 and 4.2 credits. Featuring rectified edges for minimalist appeal, it comes in six colors and is available in several sizes, including 12 x 12, 24 x 24, 6 x 24 and 12 x 24.

Color Blox EC was also designed to work with carpet products through a partnership with Bentley Prince Street for installations requiring a coordinated tile and carpeting solution.

For more information, call 800.221.9093.