SEALANTS AND ADHESIVES WASTE AWAY


Merchants’ public sector customers are under increasing pressure to cut their plastics waste. One of the ways merchant managed services teams can help is by encouraging a simple switch of the sealants used, as BMJ finds out.


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ince 2008, landfill tax has more than trebled, placing many organisations under pressure to cut down their onsite waste. For those in the public sector where funds are already tight, these extra costs are as unsustainable as the waste they are intended to reduce.


The construction industry is facing ever mounting scrutiny of its environmental impact. It is estimated that 40% of the world’s CO2 is produced by the construction industry and that one third of all the waste produced globally is produced by the sector. Of this waste, a substantial proportion is reported to be single use plastics that cannot be recycled. Estimates suggest that 23% of all plastic produced in the UK is used by the construction industry and this produces 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year, much of which cannot be recycled.


Andy Cummins, senior product manager at Geocel says that, with the climate crisis deepening, the Government has moved to crackdown on waste in order to try and promote a more circular economy. This has included a steady increase in the rate of landfill tax over the last fifteen years. As of April 2023, the standard rate of landfill tax has increased to £102.10 per tonne; this looks likely to continue to rise further as the tax


has never plateaued or decreased since it was introduced in 1996.


“Although recycling is now more widespread, when it comes to construction waste, much of the plastic can’t be recycled,” he says. “This is due to the chemicals and substances that the plastic comes into contact with. Sealant cartridges for example, cannot be recycled because of the trace amount of product left when they are empty.” With sealants used in a wide range of applications across building and maintenance – with an estimated 100 million cartridges going straight to landfill each year – recommending customers swap out traditional sealant cartridges for more sustainable alternatives will make a difference. “At Geocel, our ecoSEAL system, for example, offers a range of its most popular sealants in foils, which are used in conjunction with a reusable sleeve that fits into a standard sealant gun. The sleeve can be reused up to 75 times before you need a new one,” Cummins explains. “Furthermore, because the sealant is contained within the foil and doesn’t come into contact with the sleeve, the sleeve can then be easily recycled. Plus, when a foil is empty it is eight times smaller and approximately 60% lighter than a sealant cartridge, this means significant savings for


HODGSON U7 IS BACK S 34


anitary sealant Silfix U7 has been relaunched and improved to make it easier and more effective to apply. It is now thicker and stiffer to apply with improved body that gives enhanced shape retention, improved gunability and reduced slump. Silfix U7 from Hodgson Sealants adheres to most non-porous surfaces making it suited to sealing around baths, sinks, urinals and ceramic tile joints to give a water- resistant, hygienic seal. It is also good for application to various surfaces including PVCu, coated timber, brickwork, concrete, GRP, stainless / galvanised steel, aluminium and lead as well as on natural porous surface, making it a great all-round sealant for modular and pod building, particularly


sealing dissimilar surfaces. Resistant to ozone, ultra-violet radiation and temperature extremes, Silfix U7 will keep its original looks for years after application. Silfix U7’s specialist formulation ensures a tough, watertight seal, its proven fungicide resists mould and mildew growth, outperforming other sealants on the market. It conforms to EN15651-1: F-EXT-INT-CC and EN15651-3:S.


Silfix U7 has a fast cure and tack-free time and remains permanently flexible with a movement capability of ±25 with lasting performance and low shrinkage. Silfix U7 is available in translucent and white, and comes in 310ml cartridges. BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net July 2023


customers when taking their waste to landfill.” He adds that the ecoSEAL system includes Painters Mate, THE WORKS PRO, DOWSIL 785+, DOWSIL 799 and DOWSIL 796. Cummins adds that, by recommending sustainable products like these, managed services teams can help local authorities cut down on their plastic waste and take steps to towards their environmental targets. “Furthermore, merchants who stock and champion greener products can help to boost the environmental credentials of their own business and the sector as a whole.” BMJ


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