VIEWPOINT
CIRCULARITY: LEADING THE WAY
Jon Watts, National Client Development Manager, Knauf Drywall UK & Ireland
IN THE CONSTRUCTION industry, where innovation meets necessity, the issue of waste management is persistent. Plasterboard, a predominant material in the built environment, presents a unique challenge with its vast amount of production and intricate disposal process. That is why Knauf UK & Ireland alongside Encore Environment has devised a solution with the Knauf – ‘Plasterboard Takeback Scheme’. Over 300M m2 of plasterboard is used annually in the UK, exemplifying its status as a cornerstone construction material. However, 7.5% of plasterboard becomes waste during the build phase. This becomes a larger issue because there are a number of problems that arise from plasterboard waste. One such issue is that it cannot be disposed of in landfill sites, because it reacts with other decaying materials and causes a poisonous and malodorous smell. Builders merchants play a critical role as suppliers of construction materials, making them key stakeholders in the waste reduction process. Actively participating in responsible waste disposal has several benefits including leveraging existing
relationships with contractors to promote the importance of waste reduction and encourage participation in schemes such as The Knauf – ‘Plasterboard Takeback Scheme’. This collaborative effort not only helps divert waste from landfills but enhances merchant reputation as environmentally conscious suppliers who contribute to the advancement of circular economy principles in the built environment.
The Future of Waste Management
In response to these difficulties, Knauf UK & Ireland, alongside Encore Environment has devised a scheme that goes beyond traditional waste management. The scheme firstly aims to take waste plasterboard from dedicated skips at partner sites, and work to reintroduce the material back into the local supply chain. However, the scheme not only empowers construction professionals to dispose of waste responsibly, but it aims to mitigate waste at its source, helping to foster a culture of proactive waste reduction. The scheme’s bespoke, pre- build onsite project audit software
named ‘Toolbox Talks’ highlights the opportunities for individual sites to reduce the amount of waste being produced from the outset of the project. Not only will this curtail environmental impact, but it will also streamline project efficiency and enhance overall productivity.
Data-driven Results The scheme is enhanced by harnessing data-driven insights. With it’s data programming, the scheme illuminates opportunities for waste elimination at the design stage, as well as providing real-time data on disposal volumes throughout the project. Creating Sustainable Societies the effects of the scheme go way beyond waste elimination and reduction, as the scheme also works in partnership with two pioneering social initiatives. ProjectDIVERT is an award- winning environmental scheme that takes reusable construction waste and sends it to local community groups in need. It conducts life-cycle analysis of all materials and calculates the cost and carbon savings of potential waste disposal routes to help
March 2024
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users make informed decisions all whilst helping people in need. The second initiative, Waste Wise Kids, works with schools across the UK to teach children about the impact of waste on our environment, in a fun and interactive way. The educational programme includes presentations, competitions and experiments to make the subject exciting and engaging, and actively encourages children to continue thinking about how much waste they create, and how to dispose of waste responsibly. It promotes the values behind reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling.
Knauf’s – ‘Plasterboard
Takeback Scheme champions the ethos of a circular economy within the built environment. By offering comprehensive support to builders in waste reduction, it paves the way for a future of responsible waste management. Through collaborative partnerships, a holistic approach to waste management, and fostering community engagement, the Knauf – ‘Plasterboard Takeback Scheme’ aims to benefit the industry and world as a whole. BMJ
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