To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

A new way to get rid of old newspapers is to use it as insulation.

Director of training for New York State Weatherization Directors Association Matt Redmond said, “It's ground up newspaper and treated with boric acid so it won't burn, it's fire retardant. It's also good because vermin don't like it and it works very well. Normally it's a very green product that you would be throwing out but now we're recycling and using it as insulation.”

Students at the NYSWDA training center are learning how to install this home insulation.

Redmond says, “It's five-day training in air sealing and insulation techniques. At the end, they take a seven-hour hands-on test and if they pass the test they receive a card as BPI-certified air sealing and insulation installer.”

The students spend about 20 minutes going over a lesson in the classroom and then move to the work area where they put the lesson into practice.

“In the last two years we've had over 3,000 people attend our training at this location. We primarily train weatherization assistance program crews for New York State Home Community Renewal who provide low-income weatherization assistance programs for the elderly, those on a fixed income, and the working poor with children,” said Redmond.

The training is part of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Building Science at Onondaga Community College and Redmond says that's a good place to start if people or organizations are interested.

They can go to OCC and ask to attend the training or go to our web site, NYSWDA.org and we have a training calendar. There is funding available through Hudson Valley Community College for people who fit the requirements to attend the training. It is considered green jobs training.