THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE 13
include creating a site waste management plan, providing and using sustainable materials, and avoiding single-use plastics. In addition, initial approaches include educating the workforce through workshops, and introducing circular economy principles.
GOVERNMENT’S ROLE Ultimately, however, Jones says policy change will be needed at industry and government level. Changing Streams for one hopes to develop a cross-party alliance to address this, as the political drive continues towards a low carbon economy.
She says that reducing plastic use is intrinsic to meeting the carbon goals – it is estimated that 10 per cent of fossil fuel production is used either as raw materials or energy for production of plastic. Jones argues that as this proportion will actually increase as alternative energy sources become available, “reducing dependence on plastic will be a necessary part of the drive to zero carbon.” Jones points out relevant law and legislation already in place to reduce plastic and packaging waste, which have been outlined in the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s Best Practice Hub. The 25-Year Environmental Plan
(‘25-YEP’), for example, outlines the Government’s ambition to minimise waste, and states that the Government is working towards a target of eliminating avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042.
BRIDGING THE GAP
Aiming to reduce this plastic use in the construction industry, Changing Streams was established in 2018, by property entrepreneur Neal Maxwell, in partner- ship with The University of Liverpool. Dr Jones tells me that, following a trip
to the Arctic, Neal became aware of the extent of plastic pollution even in those parts of the world which are generally regarded as pristine, “and decided he had to do something to address the problem.” As such, the company “aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia,” hoping to create a lasting change based on in-depth research and innovation. To achieve this, it is bringing together experts from across the construction, scientific and environmental communities to facilitate innovation, research and development programmes which will drive a reduction in plastics in buildings, and throughout the built environment supply chain.
The organisation is running a series of workshops, for example, which can be delivered online and customised to any organisation. These workshops explore
the issues of plastic use and waste and help empower organisations and individu- als to develop plans to address the issue head on.
“Our ultimate mission is the eradication of plastic at source, starting with the construction industry,” says Jones.
CASE STUDY
Jones cites a key example of the organisa- tion’s work in the housebuilding sector as its partnership with Your Housing Group, which has an ongoing mission to create sustainable communities across the country. Some of the measures it has committed to over the coming years will include simple ‘swap-outs,’ such as changing fixtures and fittings, and reducing the use of plastic wrapping for building materials, such as bricks and cladding. But it’s also engaging in more complex long-term strategies to phase out materials containing plastic. Your Housing Group is also reportedly
looking to embed the Changing Streams Charter across an “ambitious” programme of new housing developments it is currently rolling out across the country, in which all new contractors will be obliged to adhere to its plastic reduction pledge before being appointed. “This will ensure positive changes cascade throughout the supply chain, including contractors, suppliers and manufacturers, which will help drive change at every level of the construction process,” says Jones.
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
While Dr Jones accepts “there is a long journey ahead,” and that there may be some essential components which may not be easy to replace with non-plastic alternatives, she says there are many ‘easy’ fixes which should immediately be adopted by the industry. “Recycling does a lot to help the problem, but is not the ultimate long- term solution,” she continues. At present, approximately only 10 per cent of all plastic produced is recycled in any form, and even recycled material can only be recycled a limited number of times (around five). So, recycling only extends the life of fossil-fuel plastic, it does not eliminate the problem of disposal.
Jones also adds that the options to convert plastic to fuel would reduce the burden of microplastic pollution, but can have the unwanted side-effect of producing carbon or carbon dioxide, and volatile compounds. “As such,” she asserts, “a longer-term solution needs to be actioned, and that is exactly what Changing Streams aims to address.”
HALF OF THE TOTAL WORLD PRODUCTION OF PLASTIC HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 15 YEARS, AND THIS IS EXPECTED TO TRIPLE BY 2050
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