SUSTAINABILITY
“With that in mind, Polypipe Building Products recently launched a recycling initiative that aims to limit the amount of plastic waste being sent to landfill. The programme, which intends to separate and collect waste at its source, has been launched in partnership with plumbing, heating and cooling firm Wolseley,” he says. “The initiative combines several workstreams to collect and recycle waste before it can be sent to landfill. To enable this, Wolseley have nominated several of their facilities to enable greater ease of collection. This includes the Fusion Utilities sites in Stoke, Chesterfield and Cambridge - focusing on the gathering of plastic cable drums. The second element, also conducted in partnership with Wolseley, is to encourage heating engineers, plumbers and tradespeople to utilise Wolseley’s Plumb Centre Branches as convenient recycling collection points.”
Alex Andreou, commercial director of Plumb Centre, says: “Here at Wolseley one of our key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets is to reduce our carbon and waste output. In fact, 51 Wolseley UK sites (over 10% of the entire network) are zero waste to landfill and our business as a whole has an average 84% landfill diversion, which means there is more to be done, but we’re pleased to be making significant progress.” “However, we cannot operate in siloes,” he adds. “One of the key elements of this strategy is to work with our supply partners to identify and implement more circular economy solutions. So, we are delighted to be partnering with Polypipe Building Products on this new initiative that will not only support our own targets, but will help our customers in reducing their environmental impact, too.”
Addressing waste on site The third element of this three-pronged waste reduction approach is achieved through collaboration with housebuilders who are placing plastic waste collection points on site at major developments. Teams are encouraged to separate material, enabling waste to be gathered directly from the construction sites. After collecting and diverting almost 2.25 tonnes of plastic waste so far, the initiative has gained the support initially from two national housebuilders, Vistry Group and Tilia Homes, who are now implementing collection points at key housing developments in the north of England. Nicholas Price, group procurement manager at Vistry Group, says of the scheme: “Sustainability is at the core of Vistry Group’s operations and reducing waste plays a central role in meeting our targets. This new initiative allows us to actively contribute to the circular economy by ensuring that all plastic waste collected on site
Product’s waste management facility in New Edlington, Doncaster. Wherever possible, the items are then repurposed, creating new building products to be recycled back into the industry for use in future projects.
can be recycled and put back into the industry, rather than being sent to landfill.” “It is fantastic to be working with Wolseley and Polypipe Building Products on the project with both organisations being key strategic partners to Vistry. The scheme provides a clear example of how collaboration can enable us to make more meaningful strides towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible industry.”
The waste collected throughout the initiative is then separated and sorted at Polypipe Building
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2025
It’s possible,if we want it to be Smith continues: “The 1.5°C goal, set out by the Paris agreement, can only be achieved through aligned, visible action across the industry; an industry that plays a bigger role than most in transitioning to a zero-carbon economy. The scale of the impact that housebuilding projects can have on the environment, both during construction and while operational, means that all eyes are on us and our actions when it comes to reducing waste and limiting impact on the environment.
“If the industry is truly committed to sustainability, then unified actions speak louder than words; moving in siloes is not an option. Manufacturers, housebuilders, merchants and those working in trades must come together in a concerted effort to deliver greatly-needed environmental progress. This is, no doubt, a tall task. But it is possible, if we want it to be.” BMJ
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