Climate change has been firmly planted in the spotlight over the recent years, especially with findings from the landmark 2018 report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which expressed that there is only about a decade left to turn the tide.
Plastic production is a substantial part of the problem. In fact, a 2019 report by the Center for International Environmental Law concluded that the impact of plastic production on the world's climate in that year alone would equate to the output of 189 coal-fired power stations. By 2050, when plastic production is expected to have tripled, it will be responsible for up to 13% of our planet's total carbon budget - on par with what 615 power stations emit.
In terms of the construction industry, it consumes 23% of all plastic produced in the UK. In addition, over one million tonnes of PVC-U product is taken out of buildings each year across Europe, and only 30% of this is recycled – leaving the majority to head to landfill. There is therefore a real opportunity for the industry to take a more responsible approach.
Compared to the timber sector, where a stipulation that timber must be from managed forests is included in the majority of specifications as standard, there currently seems to be no such consideration for the sustainability credentials for plastic. Yet, the benefits of specifiers taking a closer look at the origin of the plastic materials they choose are significant – with a move towards a more circular economy surely the ideal.
Firstly, the importance of the manufacturing process in itself cannot be understated.
The ‘cradle to grave’ impact is one that has been studied extensively – in fact, a study undertaken by the University of Manchester showed, for example, that a PVC-U window made from virgin material uses 20 times more embodied carbon than when manufactured with recycled content. Not only does the use of recycled material mean a significant reduction in carbon, it also means the material is diverted from landfill.
Therefore, environmentally responsible manufacturers are continually looking at ways to use as much recycled material as possible; within the cable management sector, leading manufacturer Marshall-Tufflex has been using recycled material in its manufacturing process for over 20 years.
Recently, the business invested in a new compounder machine – a powerful piece of equipment that can process both post-industrial waste (waste and off-cuts from PVC-U window production) and post-consumer waste (from PVC-U windows removed from buildings at the end of their lives).
This allows for even more PVC-U to avoid the fate of landfill and enables Marshall-Tufflex to manufacture PVC-U trunking and conduit systems with an average of 80% recycled content – with some white extruded products manufactured using 100% recycled material. This prevents the equivalent in weight of 300 double decker buses of PVC-U going to landfill every year.
If other manufacturers took this stance, the benefits would be huge. However, companies are only able to invest in introducing recycled content if there is demand – which is why Marshall-Tufflex is calling on specifiers to use their leverage and stipulate materials with a minimum of 50% recycled material.
Contrary to the perceptions of some, using recycled content has no adverse effect on the quality of the finished product. In fact, using recycled PVC-U window frames - a product originally designed to withstand the external elements – within the production of cable management systems actually results in increased robustness, easily able to withstand typical internal use.
This means the product will be at less risk of damage onsite. Subpar products can easily break, snap or crack during installation – costing the project more money to replace these parts, and creating more waste. However, a durable product can be installed easily without breakage, saving time, cost and waste onsite.
Furthermore, rigorous quality control processes along the manufacturing line will ensure the product is being developed to the standard expected, including a glossy white finish with guaranteed colour consistency throughout the project.
If the final product does not meet these standards, it can easily be recycled back into chips and re-enter the production process – once again, eliminating the waste associated with virgin products.
Specifiers should also be aware of, and specify products from, manufacturers who meet the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) standards, which concerns the production and its use of chemicals and their impact on both the environment and human health.
An additional credential to look for is the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Accreditation demonstrates that manufacturers have taken steps to reduce their impact on the environment throughout their business.
Transparency is crucial for specifiers, to ensure not only that a product that is fit-for-purpose is being chosen, but also that you are provided with as much detail about the product as possible.
Marshall-Tufflex, for example, has introduced useful online tools such as the Recycled PVC-U Calculator. Simple to use, this calculator allows users to enter the products they want to use and the quantity, to calculate how much recycled content is used in the products specified, and how much PVC-U in kilograms will be saved from going to landfill.
The construction industry has a huge part to play in preventing PVC-U products from entering landfill. By insisting upon products with a minimum of 50% recycled material, specifiers can support manufacturers who are serious about reducing their environmental impact and make a significant difference.
Plastic production is a substantial part of the problem. In fact, a 2019 report by the Center for International Environmental Law concluded that the impact of plastic production on the world's climate in that year alone would equate to the output of 189 coal-fired power stations. By 2050, when plastic production is expected to have tripled, it will be responsible for up to 13% of our planet's total carbon budget - on par with what 615 power stations emit.
In terms of the construction industry, it consumes 23% of all plastic produced in the UK. In addition, over one million tonnes of PVC-U product is taken out of buildings each year across Europe, and only 30% of this is recycled – leaving the majority to head to landfill. There is therefore a real opportunity for the industry to take a more responsible approach.
Compared to the timber sector, where a stipulation that timber must be from managed forests is included in the majority of specifications as standard, there currently seems to be no such consideration for the sustainability credentials for plastic. Yet, the benefits of specifiers taking a closer look at the origin of the plastic materials they choose are significant – with a move towards a more circular economy surely the ideal.
Manufacturing Matters
Firstly, the importance of the manufacturing process in itself cannot be understated.
The ‘cradle to grave’ impact is one that has been studied extensively – in fact, a study undertaken by the University of Manchester showed, for example, that a PVC-U window made from virgin material uses 20 times more embodied carbon than when manufactured with recycled content. Not only does the use of recycled material mean a significant reduction in carbon, it also means the material is diverted from landfill.
Therefore, environmentally responsible manufacturers are continually looking at ways to use as much recycled material as possible; within the cable management sector, leading manufacturer Marshall-Tufflex has been using recycled material in its manufacturing process for over 20 years.
Recently, the business invested in a new compounder machine – a powerful piece of equipment that can process both post-industrial waste (waste and off-cuts from PVC-U window production) and post-consumer waste (from PVC-U windows removed from buildings at the end of their lives).
This allows for even more PVC-U to avoid the fate of landfill and enables Marshall-Tufflex to manufacture PVC-U trunking and conduit systems with an average of 80% recycled content – with some white extruded products manufactured using 100% recycled material. This prevents the equivalent in weight of 300 double decker buses of PVC-U going to landfill every year.
If other manufacturers took this stance, the benefits would be huge. However, companies are only able to invest in introducing recycled content if there is demand – which is why Marshall-Tufflex is calling on specifiers to use their leverage and stipulate materials with a minimum of 50% recycled material.
A Durable Promise
Contrary to the perceptions of some, using recycled content has no adverse effect on the quality of the finished product. In fact, using recycled PVC-U window frames - a product originally designed to withstand the external elements – within the production of cable management systems actually results in increased robustness, easily able to withstand typical internal use.
This means the product will be at less risk of damage onsite. Subpar products can easily break, snap or crack during installation – costing the project more money to replace these parts, and creating more waste. However, a durable product can be installed easily without breakage, saving time, cost and waste onsite.
Furthermore, rigorous quality control processes along the manufacturing line will ensure the product is being developed to the standard expected, including a glossy white finish with guaranteed colour consistency throughout the project.
If the final product does not meet these standards, it can easily be recycled back into chips and re-enter the production process – once again, eliminating the waste associated with virgin products.
REACHing standards
Specifiers should also be aware of, and specify products from, manufacturers who meet the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) standards, which concerns the production and its use of chemicals and their impact on both the environment and human health.
An additional credential to look for is the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Accreditation demonstrates that manufacturers have taken steps to reduce their impact on the environment throughout their business.
Transparency At Every Stage
Transparency is crucial for specifiers, to ensure not only that a product that is fit-for-purpose is being chosen, but also that you are provided with as much detail about the product as possible.
Marshall-Tufflex, for example, has introduced useful online tools such as the Recycled PVC-U Calculator. Simple to use, this calculator allows users to enter the products they want to use and the quantity, to calculate how much recycled content is used in the products specified, and how much PVC-U in kilograms will be saved from going to landfill.
The construction industry has a huge part to play in preventing PVC-U products from entering landfill. By insisting upon products with a minimum of 50% recycled material, specifiers can support manufacturers who are serious about reducing their environmental impact and make a significant difference.
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