Sep 8 2006
The construction industry does not care about the long-term environmental consequences of its actions according to a new report funded by recycling market development company London Remade. Approximately 150 million tonnes of potential resources are wasted every year amounting to nearly three tonnes for every person in the UK.
Reluctance to purchase recycled building materials is attributed to cost, in that such materials are perceived to be more expensive and difficult to resource. The risk potential of recycled materials is also perceived to be greater than that of virgin materials in terms of a greater potential to go wrong.
A lack of knowledge regarding recycled and environmentally friendly products and a reluctance to change suppliers are also cited as major obstacles in the purchase of recycled building and construction materials.
The report also states that increased levels of waste result from the careless handling of materials, agency workers are cheaper than employees but have little interest in resource efficiency, less foremen are available to enforce standards on site and materials are often ordered by tradesmen who have little knowledge of purchasing.
London Remade offers advice and information to the building and construction industry on the purchase of recycled materials through the Mayor’s Green Procurement Code. London Remade is currently working with Skanska UK to advise on sustainable building practises and materials for the redevelopment of St Bartholomew’s Hospital and the London Borough of Croydon to sustainably refurbish schools.