May 18 2004
The environment and the effect manufacturing may have on it is a key issue confronting the construction industry. With heightened awareness has come a demand for construction solutions that minimise consumption and use of natural resources.
As the UK’s leading roofing manufacturer, Marley Roofing began its move towards environmentally friendly manufacturing processes in the early 90s. Taking into account government legislation and consumer opinion, Marley is constantly reviewing and assessing all manufacturing operations and working policies to make sure sustainability is an integral part of its development, manufacturing and servicing processes at all times.
In 1999 Marley introduced the returnable pallet scheme, whereby customers can either return their pallets to the company or Marley will arrange collection. This initiative was partly prompted by the legislation 'The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Water) Regulations 1997’.
An initiative in 2000 saw that all Marley’s crushed hardcore produced at the Burton site could be used as a partial aggregate replacement. As the company uses in excess of 450,000 tonnes of aggregate per year, its aim is to use 20-25% crushed recycled aggregate in the production process. The trials of this at Burton have proven to be so successful that it is now being extended to Marley’s other manufacturing locations.
Wherever possible, Marley recycles the water used in manufacturing through a number of manufacturing processes. At its Beenham site, Marley has installed a silt de-watering system that extracts the water from the silt, which is a by-product from the sand processing plant. Since its introduction in 2001 Marley has saved in excess of 15, 000m3 of water at the site.
Furthermore, in 2001 Marley Roofing was the first building materials manufacturer to be awarded Certified Environmental Profiles for all its products under the BRE Certification scheme. The Environmental Profiles Scheme was devised to provide standardised, reliable and independent information on building materials and components. Products are assessed using criteria looking at the environmental effects of building materials over a 60 year lifecycle, through extraction, processing, construction, use and maintenance and their eventual demolition and disposal.
Norman Richards, General Manager, Quality and Environment for Marley commented: “As awareness of environmental and green issues increases so does the demand for construction solutions that minimise the consumption and use of natural resources. Marley is extremely proud of its environmental achievements, and makes every effort to protect the environment.
“Moreover, all Marley’s roof tile factories have developed and implemented the Environmental Management System, complying with the requirements of BS EN ISO 14001. All sites have received certification to this prestigious standard by the British Standards Institution.”
Source: Communique PR>