Recycled concrete can offer sustainable alternative in construction
Progressive Planet is tackling the environmental impact of concrete by developing PozGlass, a low-carbon alternative to cement made from post-consumer glass. Cement, a major contributor to global CO₂ emissions, traditionally relies on fly ash and slag—materials that are becoming scarce. Recognizing this, CEO Steve Harpur and his team turned to urban glass waste as a new source of amorphous silica, similar to Roman concrete ingredients. Collaborating with Momentum Recycling, they developed a process that transforms waste glass into PozGlass, while also creating valuable byproducts like sodium carbonate and limestone, which can permanently sequester carbon. Backed by Lafarge Canada and a $4.6-million grant from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, the company plans to build a pilot plant focused on innovation. With the potential to replace up to 50% of Portland cement, PozGlass represents a scalable, sustainable solution that supports the circular economy and significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the construction industry. Learn more about this process.
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