COVER STORY
How product selection can help to reduce carbon footprint
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Given the built environment is one of the world’s biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) it is critical that building services engineers are focussed on how their work can help to reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. Alex Ashton, environmental and sustainability manager from commercial drainage specialists Polypipe Building Services, explains how product manufacturers have a pivotal role to play in supporting this
he UK Government has set ambitious targets for reaching Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050, and the construction industry bears a responsibility in ensuring we meet the next major step to achieve a
68% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. To keep pace with both the 2030 and 2050 goals a structured approach is required across the supply chain. A wide range of factors across extraction, manufacture, transport and more impact the environmental footprint of the products used by building services engineers, which in turn can have a significant impact on the GHG levels generated by a given project. This means that engineers should look carefully into how the manufacturers of the products they use are seeking to reduce emissions and therefore support the sustainability of their work.
GHG emissions reduction across the scopes
GHG emissions are typically categorised into three groups or scopes – Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3. Scope 1 emissions are those generated directly by an organisation, for example the burning of fossil fuels in a boiler or furnace, whilst Scope 2 emissions are indirectly generated through the purchase of electricity, steam, heat or cooling that’s generated elsewhere. Scope 3, which generally accounts for the biggest portion of an organisation’s footprint, are those generated from indirect sources but driven by the demands and activities of the reporting organisation. It is important to remember that as a manufacturer, any improvements we can make to our Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions not only impact our business but help to ensure savings in Scope 3 emissions further along the construction chain from delivery through to installation. So how can emissions falling under Scopes 1 and 2 be minimised to the benefit of projects further down the supply chain? It’s important to see this as an ongoing, transitionary process rather than one monolithic shift – for example, company schemes to move from diesel to plug-in hybrid and eventually all-electric vehicles have a positive impact on emissions within the parameters of electric vehicle availability and capabilities. In the warehouse, electric counterbalance forklift trucks are now widespread enough for wholesale transitions away from gas to be made. Whilst many manufacturers will not be able to meet their energy needs self-sufficiently, combined heat and power (CHP) technology can provide a lower emissions solution to augment power drawn from the national grid. Where energy must be purchased from
elsewhere, the first key step is to ensure power usage is minimised wherever possible. Beyond this, manufacturers should seek a zero-carbon supplier – here at Polypipe Building Services, along with the majority of the wider Genuit Group, we procure renewable energy via wind power through a Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO). For architects, consulting engineers and contractors, checking the measures their suppliers are taking to implement these or similar steps will ensure minimal carbon emissions are passed down the chain.
Reducing Scope 3 – the biggest source of emissions
As the largest origin of emissions tackling Scope 3 emissions must be a core focus and central to this is a full product lifecycle approach. How can the sourcing of raw materials minimise emissions during their production? How can our own production processes and equipment ensure minimal emissions are created? How can these products be made so they
provide maximum durability during their useful life, reducing the need for replacements? And when they do need replacing, how can the materials be reused to avoid the impact of their disposal as waste?
A first step is to ensure we avoid unnecessary waste. Offsite and modular construction have a key role to play here as they require much greater precision in what materials are needed, when and how, and we pride ourselves in working in partnership with those we supply to provide a bespoke engineered service so we can produce precisely what the contractor needs. This avoids waste on-site while optimising how quickly the job can be completed, and we anticipate this to be one of the fastest growing areas of our business over the next few years. If a circular economy is achieved for the waste that remains, then the challenges of using less virgin material and that of avoiding waste to landfill are intrinsically linked. More reusable materials re-entering the production process means lower demand for virgin material that would typically generate higher emissions to extract and process. This is why we recently invested in new production lines for our Terrain PVC pipes so we can produce soil and waste pipes with up to 65% recycled content, without compromising on durability or performance. Not only does this mean we can reduce our reliance on virgin raw materials, but it will also reduce the volume of waste going to landfill.
A partnership approach
We hope a fully circular process can be established for many of our products, and that the same is done across the full spectrum of building products manufacturers. A recycle and reuse approach must be applied across all operations, and to maximise the amount of product that re- enters use we should look to build partnerships across the supply chain. For example, we have begun a trial with one of our key merchant customers to make it for contractors to return PVC piping offcuts, obsolete products, plastic packaging, and bulk bags. These materials are picked up by our vehicles when empty on a return journey, further reducing emissions.
Conclusion
Most companies appreciate the challenge of achieving Net Zero, but capital support will be needed to make the changeover in equipment, machines, and vehicles to ensure a smooth transition. An important next step for building services engineers and companies is to seek out manufacturers who are serious about driving down emissions, alongside partnering with the wider industry to seek the most practical solutions.
10 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2023 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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