Hyattsville, Md., -- Gypsum Association (www.gypsum.org) has developed a new website that describes the sustainable characteristics of gypsum-based building materials and conveys the commitment of its members to environmentally responsible recycling, waste management and land reclamation programs.

The nine-section site, entitled “Gypsum and Sustainability,” offers a brief history of the use of gypsum products dating back to ancient Egypt, describes the chemical composition of natural gypsum ore and discusses the introduction of “synthetic” gypsum as a by- product of the desulfurization of flue gasses in fossil-fueled power plants.

In addition to its use in the manufacture of gypsum panels and building plasters, gypsum has proven to be helpful to humans, animals, plant life and the environment. Six of these applications are identified in the site.

A “Building Green with Gypsum” section addresses “green” building credits awarded for achieving specific compliance targets during the planning, design, build-out, and commissioning stages of a residential or commercial construction or renovation project. The section specifically discusses green building credits awarded for

• Gypsum products that feature recycled content
• Gypsum production facilities that are located in close proximity to job sites
• Use of transportation other than trucking for shipping gypsum products
• Life Cycle Assessment cost analyses which show that gypsum building systems compare favorably to other building systems
• Construction waste diversion and on-site waste disposal of gypsum based materials
• Gypsum-based building components manufactured at new, energy-efficient gypsum board manufacturing plants

Finally, the gypsum “sustainability” website lists reasons why gypsum panels and products are environmentally preferable to other building materials, along with national organizations that have cited gypsum manufacturing facilities in North America for their environmental consciousness and safety programs.

For the complete gypsum sustainability story, visit the “Gypsum and Sustainability” website at www.gypsumsustainability.org.