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Working in the construction industry requires creativity, ingenuity, and a flair for innovation. It is no mean feat to build a house, block of flats, or industrial unit. Things rarely go to plan, and contractors use their industry knowledge to complete projects to a high standard, ensuring longevity for the property owners. It is this kind of innovative thinking that is required for tackling the issue of waste in the construction sector. With construction, demolition and excavation waste collectively making up 25-30% of all EU waste, it is clear things must change. In this article, we will explore the role of recycled plastics in creating circular lifespans for construction materials, while still delivering durable and high-quality products.
Understanding Recycled and Sustainable Plastics
We are all aware of plastic’s reputation – one hit wonder products you throw away after use. While this may be true for packaging, or plastic in the culinary sector, in the construction industry plastic can serve a more sustainable role.
Lots of properties require retrofitting at one time or another. Guttering may need replacing, windowsills fixing, or elements of the roofline may need repairing. All these projects will inevitably produce some product waste. However, if the faulty materials can be recycled, the plastic can be re-molded into a new functional piece of construction material. This creates a circular lifespan for our plastic building materials, keeping them out of landfill.
As countries work towards becoming net-zero, it is imperative that we make the most of the resources already available to us. By reusing as much construction waste as possible, the sector will be able to lower the CO2 footprint of the average domestic household. There are also exciting innovations to be explored in reusing construction waste. For example, using recycled plastic as a key component of ‘green cement’. Cement is a resource heavy product, requiring large volumes of water and energy to produce. Therefore, green building solutions which utilise waste plastics are a fantastic avenue for ensuring that construction projects can go ahead while reducing the manufacturing carbon footprint and conserving natural resources.
Eco-Friendly Benefits of Recycled and Sustainable Plastics
As a company specialising in plastic building products, it is safe to say that we are fans of using sustainable materials. Plastic building products bridge a crucial gap between innovation and functionality. For example, insulation which includes plastic compounds, such as polyurethane (PVR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) are not only thinner and lighter than traditional insulation materials but use considerably less energy in production and have improved energy efficiency in the home.
There are several notable benefits to the expansion of plastics in the construction industry. Firstly, they are often thinner and lighter than traditional counterparts. For example, Edge Cast-Iron Style PVC drainage is considerably lighter than cast-iron guttering, yet still brings traditional charm to a property. This means that more Cast-Iron style guttering can be transported in one van, reducing transportation emissions. The Cast-Iron Style guttering is also easier to install, is durable and is resistant to weathering making it an excellent investment for a property’s roofline.
Durability is the hallmark of quality plastic construction materials. Unlike wood fascias, PVC fascias are resistant to rot and bug infestations, and have the added benefits of being available in a broad range of colours. Plastic building products also typically have a life span of over 40 years. If this fascia is then recycled at the end of its lifespan and repurposed into other essential building components, then the environmental impact of this plastic is significantly reduced.
Innovative Thinking in Construction Waste
Although it is clear that there are numerous benefits to plastic recycling, the infrastructure for recycling is limited. Strategy& claim that currently only 1% of total worldwide building materials are recycled plastics. Recycling for construction waste is often privatized, and only available in select areas. It is not easy for contractors to separate their plastic waste from generalised rubble, and then to find a suitable recycling center.
Strategy& proposes that construction waste recycling centers should be commercialized, thereby allowing greater funding and expansion. Not only would this provide jobs for the local area, but the GDP of countries would also be boosted as the recycled materials can be re-sold by private businesses. Green building materials can form an important new area of manufacturing, supporting the economy of local communities and reducing waste in towns with large developments.
As we move closer to 2030, sustainable construction is going to become an important factor in net-zero plans. The expansion of accessible recycling facilities for construction plastics will have to be actioned by local authorities to allow everyone the benefits of eco-friendly building materials.
Final Thoughts
Here at Edge, we are committed to providing our customers with low-maintenance building materials that will stand the test of time. Durable, weather resistant, and easy to work with are the hallmarks of the products we supply. Moving forward, we will continue to support efforts for increasing the use of recycled plastics in the building sector. We will be following this issue and will continue to provide our customers with the information they need to recycle their waste plastics. We believe that recycled plastics and fantastic low-maintenance building products can become synonymous as we move towards a greener future.
Sources:
Modern Building Alliance, Environmental Sustainability of Plastics in Construction, https://www.modernbuildingalliance.eu/environmental-sustainability-plastics-construction/
Strategy&, How plastics can create sustainable building materials, https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/strategic-foresight/sector-strategies/energy-chemical-utility-management/sustainableplasticsmaterials.html
Plastic Expert, Plastic waste in the construction industry, https://www.plasticexpert.co.uk/is-plastic-waste-the-perfect-building-material/