The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 136 million tons of waste from construction and demolition debris is dumped into the country’s landfills annually. Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital is doing its part to reduce that number with the installation of its new roof.

Approximately 400 tons of river rock is currently being vacuumed from the existing 52,000-square-foot fifth floor roof of the hospital’s main building. That rock will be reclaimed by construction companies for use in various projects, including roadway and other foundation work. Then 34,320 pounds of insulation and 14,000 pounds of roofing membrane will be removed and given to Nationwide Foam for recycling.

The insulation will be sorted for processing, and depending on quantity and quality, will be repurposed for agricultural, cargo transportation, construction and manufacturing applications. The roofing membrane is recycled to add stability and enhance the physical properties of silicone products. It can be blended into solvent-free silicone membrane for new roofing projects, or used as an additive spray on sports tracks, playground mats and equipment.

Good Samaritan Hospital’s roofing project is expected to be complete next month with the addition of extra insulation to increase heating and cooling efficiency and topped with a natural white stone.

“When you think of a green roof you think of actual plants on the roof,” said Craig McKenzie, Advocate Health Care regional director of facilities. “But Good Samaritan Hospital’s new ‘green’ roof is white to reflect heat. This will decrease the heating and cooling load of the building, thus reducing our carbon footprint.

“At Advocate Health Care, we always take our stewardship of the environment into account in all building projects,” McKenzie said.