Sustainable Cooling Towers

Sustainability is becoming a genuine specification requirement for many projects, not just a preference. When a cooling tower reaches the end of its service life, what happens to the materials matters. Franklin Hodge cooling towers are built with this in mind from the outset.

Are Your Cooling Towers Environmentally Sustainable? 

Yes, all our cooling towers are made from fully recyclable materials, unlike GRP. This ensures they retain their material value at the end of their service life, making them a more sustainable choice. 

GRP, or glass-reinforced plastic, is widely used in the cooling tower industry but cannot be recycled at the end of life. The materials Franklin Hodge uses, steel and aluminium, are fully recyclable and retain genuine material value when the tower is eventually decommissioned. That’s a meaningful difference when sustainability credentials matter to your project or organisation. 

The Problem with GRP in a Circular Economy

GRP cooling towers and water storage tanks are difficult to dispose of responsibly. Because the glass fibres and resin matrix cannot be separated, GRP typically ends up in landfill at the end of life. For organisations with environmental targets, net zero commitments, or procurement policies that require recyclable materials, this is a genuine issue. 

Franklin Hodge towers sidestep this entirely. Steel and aluminium can be recovered, recycled, and reused, meaning the material invested in your cooling tower doesn’t become waste when the system is eventually replaced.

Sustainability Built into the Product, Not Added On

Beyond end-of-life recyclability, our approach to sustainability runs through how our products are designed and manufactured: 

• Cooling towers and tanks are built for long service lives, reducing the frequency of replacement and the resources that come with it 
• Durable materials mean less maintenance intervention and fewer replacement parts over the product’s lifespan 
• Franklin Hodge aligns its efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which guide our company’s sustainable practices as it operates globally 
• Our company holds BS/ISO 14001:2015 accreditation, the internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems

Sustainable Cooling for Commercial and Industrial Applications

Whether you’re specifying a new Carter Environmental cooling tower or a Visco cooling tower, the recyclable material construction applies across the range. For projects where environmental credentials need to be documented or verified, Franklin Hodge can provide relevant information to support your requirements. 

If an existing tower needs to be restored rather than replaced, our cooling tower refurbishment service extends operational life and reduces the environmental impact of full system replacement.

Speak to Franklin Hodge About Sustainable Cooling Tower Options

If sustainability is a factor in your cooling tower specification, our team can discuss how Franklin Hodge systems support your environmental requirements. View our full cooling towers range or contact us to discuss your project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Franklin Hodge cooling towers considered more sustainable than GRP alternatives? 

Franklin Hodge cooling towers are made from fully recyclable steel and aluminium, which retain material value at the end of life. GRP cannot be recycled and typically goes to landfill when decommissioned. 

What materials are Franklin Hodge cooling towers made from? 

Our cooling towers are manufactured from steel and aluminium, both of which are fully recyclable materials. 

Does Franklin Hodge hold any environmental accreditations? 

Yes, Franklin Hodge holds BS/ISO 14001:2015 accreditation, the internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems. 

Can refurbishment be a more sustainable option than full replacement? 

Yes, where a cooling tower is structurally sound, refurbishment extends its operational life and avoids the resource use associated with manufacturing and installing a new system. 

Does Franklin Hodge’s sustainable credentials apply across all cooling tower ranges? 

Yes, the recyclable material construction applies to both Carter Environmental and Visco cooling tower systems.