- Scotland’s construction industry could claim its share of £50m with some simple resource management -
Plasterboard waste is costing the construction industry around £50 million a year in raw material and disposal expenses alone.
One in eight sheets of plasterboard bought and delivered to site is classified as waste, which has led to an alarming 243,000 tonnes being sent to landfill and a sizable environmental footprint. By adopting greener practises, construction companies in Scotland could potentially reduce site wastage by up to 8% and have a significant improvement on the industry’s environmental impact.
A new guide entitled ‘Preventing and Reducing Plasterboard Waste’ has just been launched by sustainability experts Envirowise. It is designed to help those in Scotland’s construction industry develop strategies to prevent and reduce plasterboard waste on site.
The information applies to all sizes and types of construction site and provides practical advice for a wide range of roles within the industry including main contractors, dry lining contractors, plasterboard manufacturers and merchants. Quantity surveyors, designers, planners and architects are also made aware of their role in the process and ways in which they can be more efficient.
The guide consists of a simple five step continual improvement programme, designed to be easily implemented and help companies get started:
- Measure how much waste is being produced.
- Benchmark in order to identify opportunities for change.
- Communicate to everyone what needs to be done.
- Monitor progress in reducing waste against an agreed target.
- Improve further by doing things even better.
Alan Hendry, Envirowise Business Manager for Scotland explains:
“The construction industry is one of the largest sources of waste in Scotland, with more than 10.60 million tonnes 1 being generated annually. With the environment firmly on the agenda and industry legislation becoming more stringent, it is important for both green practice and profits that waste is considered a priority. The Envirowise guide offers a practical framework for getting started and simple advice for systematically managing plasterboard as a valuable resource.
“This guide marks the next in a series of important and insightful publications concerning construction waste.”
Envirowise offers a wide range of free services and advice to construction companies on how to prevent and reduce waste and improve business practices. To find out more call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794 or visit: www.envirowise.gov.uk/construction
Notes to Editors
(1) SEPA Waste Data Digest 7 – 2005/2006
Total Waste Arisings
During 2005/2006, an estimated 10.60 million tonnes of Construction and demolition was generated in Scotland.
For more information, please contact:
Laura McKenzie or Debbie Standen at Trimedia on 0131-226-2363 or email firstname.surname@trimediauk.com
About Envirowise:
Envirowise is a Scottish Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of Scottish business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1Bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.
Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:
- The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794.
- An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk/scotland) of valuable and relevant information.
- On-site visits conducted by a nationwide team of expert advisors (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland only).
- Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions.