3 ways to be more green onsite
With the new year bringing us ever closer to the European net zero target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030, and to reach net zero by 2050, many of us may be thinking about ways that we could be a little greener, both in our personal and professional lives.
If your new year’s resolution is to be more green, here are our three top tips for being greener when onsite.
1. USE LOCALLY SOURCED MATERIALS
An essential aspect of creating a more ecologically responsible world is to build sustainably, and to do this, locally sourced, sustainable materials should be used. This means using materials that have no adverse effect on the environment and which are produced locally, reducing the need to travel.
At Tremco CPG UK, we have leveraged our position as a pan-European company, and our relationship with our product brands, to reach new customer groups across Europe. With production facilities and warehouses across EU, we can fulfil orders locally, reducing the need for unnecessary transportation of goods.
What’s more, CPG UK is regularly adding product brands and innovative new products to its portfolio, expanding product ranges in countries that would have otherwise been unavailable if it wasn’t for this collaborative approach.
2. USING PREFABRICATED MATERIALS
Prefabricated materials are often produced offsite in a controlled environment and then transported to the construction site for assembly. Not only is this cost effective but is also environmentally friendly, as when producing components onsite, extra materials are usually on hand to ensure that the build doesn’t ‘fall short’ – often resulting in waste.
Traditional onsite construction can also lead to air and soil pollution. Controlled environments on the other hand can allow for better air filtration and increased energy efficiency, even in the presence of emissions and air particles released during cutting and processing.
3. CORRECT DISPOSAL OF WASTE/MATERIALS
In addition to our prefabricated solutions, CPG UK experts are always on hand to offer advice on products and required volumes to ensure that waste is kept to a minimum. Where there is waste however, reusing and recycling can help you to be greener onsite.
According to the European Commission, about 450-500 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) is generated every year in Europe, at least a third of which is concrete. However, it has been reported that only a maximum of two thirds of the C&DW generated is recycled.
What are the benefits of recycling concrete?
- It reduces our dependence on primary raw materials
- And reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill
How concrete can be reused:
- As a recycled aggregate in new concrete
- As a recycled aggregate in unbound applications such as road construction and earthworks.
Other waste materials commonly found on construction sites, including lumber, pieces of drywall, gravel, wiring, ductwork, and glass and metal parts can be recycled or converted into mulch or biomass fuel.
If you would like to talk to our team of experts about how Tremco CPG UK can help you to be more ‘green’ onsite, with our locally produced materials or prefabricated solutions.
