LONDON, 27th October 2005
MORI research commissioned by Envirowise suggests that as few as 18% of the UK's construction firms see waste minimisation as very important for their companies, and 86% do not see the environment as an important issue. However, the construction industry has a significant waste problem and, with 13 million tonnes of completely unused building materials discarded as waste every year, the costs are potentially huge - to the environment, to construction firms and to consumers.
For instance, 13 million tonnes of building material could equate to:
- 5.4 billion bricks, costing an estimated £855 million and enough to build 490,000 houses
- Cement worth up to £1.7 billion
- Sand worth up to £455 million
The construction industry makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, accounting for 10% of GDP and consisting of 180,000 companies employing 1.5 million people6. However, its contribution to the UK's waste production is even greater:
- The construction industry produces 20% of all UK waste
- Construction and demolition is responsible for 21% of the hazardous waste in the UK
- During 2002, construction waste accounted for 24% of all reported fly tipping incidents
Envirowise has today launched a service designed specifically to help construction firms to cut down on waste. Under the Firm Foundations* initiative firms can access a range of free support services including advice on developing and implementing Site Waste Management Plans, a range of guides and confidential onsite assessments
Dr Martin Gibson, Envirowise Programme Director said: "It is clear that there are huge savings to be made in the construction sector, both financial and environmental. This is particularly relevant at the moment, as the high price of oil is threatening to increase the cost of basic materials like bricks.
"Our aim is to work with construction firms to help them see the benefit of improved resource efficiency, so that they can start to make savings immediately. Ultimately, this should be good news for builders, house buyers and the environment."
[*Please note that the Firm Foundations campaign has now concluded. Check with the construction sector pages for future campaigns, or register with Envirowise to receive our newsletter and communications about future campaigns.]
Notes to editors
About the research
Fifty-nine small and medium sized construction firms (with between 10 and 250 employees) were polled. Interviews were conducted between 23 May - 3 June 2005 by MORI Telephone Services (MTS). Telephone interviews were conducted using Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing (CATI).
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only) delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save over £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call 0800 585794.