SUSTAINABILITY
Minimising waste – top tips for merchants
Bill Price, National Commercial Technical Manager, Tarmac looks at the issues surrounding dealing with waste in a sustainable fashion.
SUSTAINABILITY IS NO longer simply a buzzword, or a nice-to-have – it is a key priority. It is fundamentally shaping business strategy for companies of all sectors, and the construction industry is no exception. It is important for everyone, from manufacturers through to merchants, to understand how they can provide a truly sustainable offering and minimise the waste they produce. The impact of human activity on the environment becomes a more high promising to be no different. Builders’ clients are increasingly concerned that waste is properly recycled and sustainable products are used so it is important for merchants to show builders they are contributing to the development of the industry with their choice of pioneering products. In the case of cement, the biggest sustainability challenge we face is around waste. Left over cement “goes off” because it starts to hydrate and slowly set and harden when exposed to the weather. Common causes for this are that the bag is left out in the rain or on wet ground, or that the bag is left open and moisture from the air reacts with the cement to start off the setting process – this can happen even inside a dry shed. Either will mean product goes to waste – lost revenue for the merchants or builders, and an unnecessary hit for the environment.
Innovations
Over the years, manufacturers have made important innovations, such as robust weather-proof plastic packaging which means cement products can be stored outside in all weathers at the merchant’s premises rather than taking up valuable internal sales space. Demand for more sustainable products such as these continues to be strong, so merchants need to understand customer expectations and stock products that are robust, durable and which address environmental challenges. They also need to be able to help builders choose the right product and quantity for their projects, thereby helping them meet their own sustainability targets. Merchants can also focus on re- educating their customers about new products and methods that are less
42 “
Over the years, manufacturers have made important innovations, such as robust weather- proof plastic packaging which means cement products can be stored outside in all weathers at the merchant’s premises rather than taking up valuable internal sales space.”
wasteful. For example, the common of cement in half for a concrete mixer can waste up to half a bag of cement if mortar mix. This is why last year Tarmac perfect mix size and means there is no wasted product – good news for the environment and for builders’ pockets. Developers like us are constantly working to bring new and more sustainable products to the marketplace, and we’re working hard to help merchants keep on top of new innovations which will work best for their margins and environmental pressures.
Philosophy
At Tarmac we have taken great care in placing a waste-reduction philosophy at the core of our business. We have developed systems that not only help us to reduce waste and use resources carefully in our own processes but which also enable us to re-use by- products and waste materials from other sectors. This means that we are overall net users of waste.
We place sustainability at the heart of all we do and we want to provide products that help builders be more sustainable. Simple, everyday habits can make a real difference, whilst the wider industry needs to continue innovating to stay on the path to sustainability.
April 2017 BMJ
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
