Sustainability is no longer the trend of the moment. It’s deeply embedded in every part of the construction sector, and huge strides have been taken over the last few decades to reduce environmental impact in the industry. There is still a way to go; the latest Sustainable Futures UK Report by the National Building Specification (NBS), based on a wide-ranging survey, states that while 70% of construction projects now include sustainability targets, only 43% of construction professionals regularly achieve sustainability goals.
Along with waste minimisation, the protection of natural habitats and the elimination of toxic materials, the intelligent re-use of building materials has become a natural and practical part of all reputable building projects. It’s one we take very seriously here at Oakwhite, so we decided to have a closer look at how it should be done.
Site Waste Management Plans
For all UK construction projects with a budget exceeding £0.5 million, it’s a legal requirement to have in place a detailed Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP), which strongly emphasises the responsibility to prioritise waste prevention over disposal.
It sets down exactly how all waste produced during the build will be managed and carefully minimised, and specifies the methods for accomplishing this. They include:
- Re-use – finding opportunities to re-use materials, whether on-site or elsewhere
- Recycling – stating how materials are able to be recycled
- Recovery – specifying how materials can be re-used for energy generation or other purposes
- Disposal – when all other options have been explored, outlining how remaining material should be carefully dispensed with
BREEAM assessments
For responsible contractors, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method) is a detailed and widely established procedure. It delivers certification following an evaluation by a qualified assessor and subsequent review by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), which set up the process.
BREEAM’s comprehensive framework aims to prioritise and improve sustainability throughout an entire project, from design to interior fit out, and covers nine major areas:
- Waste
- Pollution
- Water
- Materials
- Energy
- Transport
- Health and well-being
- Land use
- Ecology
- Project management
Credits are allocated within each category, and the accumulated total gives the BREEAM rating for the project. It’s not a legal requirement, but is becoming increasingly requested by clients and development funders, with local authorities in particular leading the charge to sign up.
BREEAM encourages the use of reclaimed materials by giving credits for a documented sustainable procurement plan, such as sourcing from a demolition or strip-out project.
The London Plan
The London Plan Guidance Circular Economy Statements put the re-use of building materials at the heart of new development, aiming to encourage buildings that are easier to dismantle and adapt over their lifetime. It treats building materials as resources to be re-used rather than disposed of and, if possible, prioritises the retention of existing structures above demolition.
Re-using materials
‘Circularity’ is the new buzzword when it comes to the re-use of materials. This refers to a steady shift from the traditional model of buying materials, using them, and then throwing them away when they’re no longer wanted. Instead, materials are kept in use for as long as possible, re-purposed and re-modelled, in order to reduce the depletion of natural resources. Suggestions for re-using include:
Bricks and tiles
Reclaimed bricks are greatly in demand for both exterior and interior projects. A fit out or refurb of a historic building will often use them to ensure the appearance of the building is maintained, but they are just as suitable for new-build development as well as landscaping features like pathways and walls. They can also be crushed to make aggregate for use in concrete production or road construction. It’s important to check insurance when reclaimed bricks are specified, as they’re not covered by British Standards in the same way as new ones.
Timber
Reclaimed timber can be used for flooring, cladding, beams, posts, joints and frames, lintels or even made into custom-built furniture. Due to past use, it will have already thoroughly dried out, so is unlikely to expand and contract with temperature changes like new wood can do. Wood from pallets can be turned into wood chips to provide power, mulch for gardens or firewood.
Steel
Steel can be melted down and re-made into new steel products – unlike other materials it can be re-used repeatedly without loss of strength or flexibility. Paint or other surface coatings may need to be removed but steel is a prime example of the benefits of construction circularity.
Plasterboard
Plasterboard is another top-notch recycling product. It can be crushed or shredded and the results separated into the paper layer and the gypsum core, which can both then be re-used to make new plasterboard. The gypsum can also be used in cement production.
Glass
This can be crushed and melted down to form new glass, and can be used for new windows, doors, tiles and kitchen counter-tops, as well as used as aggregate in concrete or for fibreglass insulation.
Interested?
A sustainable commercial fit out or refurb will aim to minimise, as far as possible, any negative impacts of the process by careful selection of materials and ensuring they are responsibly sourced.
Sustainability is ingrained in our working practices here at Oakwhite, and we are genuinely committed to protecting our environment.
If you’d like to know more about a sustainable approach to your refurbishment or fit out project, contact us via email, or give us a call on 01403 259225. Our expert and friendly team members would be delighted to help.