So I have seen some conversation and questions about insulation lately. I just wanted to throw out a product line that I have found to be one the best products to work with not only for performance and ease of installation, but also in the environmental benefits of the product.

Biological based spray foam insulation. All the benefits of expanding spray foam insulation with the added benefit of being organically based, soy beans in many cases. I don't want to throw out any manufacturers as I use a few and wouldn't want to show allegiances.

This line of products provides superior thermal barriers, resistance to mold growth, elevated R-values, and a great reduction in energy costs. Well worth the money and the installation is actually easier than with old school pink batts.

I have seen the spray foam stuff installed before and its pretty cool. I like that it expands and fills all the nooks and crannies. I am sure it provides a great air seal. So I was wondering how this biological based stuff compares to the oil-based stuff that most people are using? Is it the same thing only not petroleum based? I know that corn plastic may seem to be just like plastic, but you have to treat it differently. Is it the same case with this stuff?

I think my only issue with this being a great green choice is the waste stream. I have talked with a manufacturer of this product and they say they have to throw out the shavings because they can't reintroduce them back into the production stream. While I know they are biodegradable, so too are newspapers but you can find many of them if you dig into a landfill. I think there needs to be attention paid to all aspects of a product before we say its green because of a partial sustainable approach.

AD, there are some spray foam products that allow for the waste stream to be reintroduced into the production cycle and eliminating the waste often associated with spray foam insulation. I know its probably not the biological based product, but it shouldn't be a shot at all spray foam insulations.

The first use of soy that I have heard of in years that makes sense. Soy is a great product but we seem to be using it too much as a food filler. Pretty cool to think of it as a wall filler now.

My company has actually installed both the petrol based and the soy based versions of spray foam. I do like the soy based more because of the green upside to it, but performance wise, they are about the same.

On the waste streams. We have actually started to collect and compact the scrap and then insert the scrap into the cavities of CMU walls. Adds just a fraction of insulation to the CMU but reduces waste. I still wish it could be processed and go back through the cycle but the manufacturer still hasn't resolved this issue.

GHD, I really like the use of the waste on site. Good idea. But isn't it just the same as when workers dump their lunches and such in those cavities. I mean it still is a waste product and not really the ideal infill for CMU.

Have you had any issues with using this material for an alternative use?

I would rather have that insulation waste in my walls than in a landfill. I think its a marvelous idea and not really the same as a worker throwing his used lunch bag in the wall.