SUSTAINABILITY
about waste management in a fun and interactive manner. Through presentations, competitions, and experiments, Waste Wise Kids instils values of reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling, nurturing a generation committed to sustainable practices.
Circular principles
Watts says: “Our Plasterboard Take Back Scheme embodies the essence of a circular construction economy. By offering comprehensive support to merchants in waste reduction, it leads the way towards responsible waste management. Through collaboration, holistic waste management approaches, and community engagement, the scheme aims to transform the construction industry while fostering a sustainable world for future generations.” n
TAKE BACK CONTROL..
...of plasterboard waste. Knauf UK & Ireland aims to minimise the environmental impact of its products.
O
ne building material that is particularly onerous to dispose of sustainably is plasterboard. Now, Knauf UK & Ireland, in collaboration with Encore
Environment, has introduced an innovative solution to address this issue: the Knauf Plasterboard Take Back Scheme, poised to transform waste management practices for construction professionals.
Around 7.5% of plasterboard ends up as waste during construction. Unlike typical landfill materials, plasterboard waste reacts with other substances as it decomposes, emitting harmful odours, making landfill disposal unsuitable. Recognising the pivotal position of builders merchants in the suppply chain, Knauf’s initiative encourages them to adopt responsible waste management practices, such as the Knauf – Plasterboard Take Back Scheme. Jon Watts, Knauf’s national client development manager UK & Ireland says: “This initiative underscores our commitment to sustainability and provides a practical solution for managing plasterboard waste. “ The scheme aims not only to retrieve waste plasterboard from designated skips at partner sites but also to reintegrate this material back into the local supply chain. More than mere waste disposal, the scheme seeks to address waste at its source, fostering proactive waste reduction among construction professionals. Watts says that a key aspect of the scheme’s effectiveness lies in its bespoke
pre-build onsite project audit software, known as ‘Toolbox Talks’. This innovative tool identifies opportunities for waste reduction at individual sites right from the project’s outset. By minimising environmental impact and streamlining project efficiency, this approach boosts overall productivity while promoting sustainable construction practices. “Augmenting its effectiveness with data- driven insights, the scheme provides real-time data on disposal volumes throughout the project lifecycle, identifying opportunities for waste elimination at the design stage. By leveraging data programming, Knauf’s initiative optimises waste management and empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions, steering projects towards sustainability from inception to completion,” he explains.
Building sustainably Watts says that, beyond waste elimination, the Knauf scheme offers customers access to initiatives aimed at diverting waste from landfills and educating local communities on environmental conservation. ProjectDIVERT, an award-winning environmental scheme, repurposes reusable construction waste for local community groups in need. By conducting life-cycle analyses and calculating cost and carbon savings of waste disposal routes, ProjectDIVERT not only reduces waste but also fosters community resilience.
Another initiative, Waste Wise Kids, engages with schools across the UK, educating children
June 2024 A supplement to builders merchants journal Benefits of the Scheme
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: Reduce your project's carbon footprint by diverting plasterboard waste from landfills. Data sharing and reporting that offers a more transparent approach to waste and recycling within the industry.
COST-EFFICIENCY:
Disposal costs associated with traditional waste management methods are often at the mercy of local authorities who operate schemes which ultimately do nothing to reduce waste or actually deal with the issue of waste. This is especially important not just within the realms of the circular economy but corporate social responsibility and Environmental Social Governance protocol.
COMPLIANCE:
Meet sustainability standards and contribute to a circular economy.
How it works
1. Registration: Trade professionals can register for the Take Back Scheme via Knauf's website:
www.knauf.co.uk/our-services/knauf- take-back-scheme. This step is essential to access the benefits of the scheme. 2. Collection: Once registered, participants can arrange for the collection of their unused plasterboard waste by Knauf's dedicated service. 3. Recycling: Knauf ensures that the collected plasterboard is recycled efficiently. This involves separating gypsum from paper liners and processing it for reuse in new plasterboard production or other applications.
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