FEATURE: GARDEN & LANDSCAPING
BUILT TO LAST IN A SUSTAINABLE WORLD
Trusted for decades, Tarmac’s Blue Circle range is built to last - creating durable projects that will withstand the elements year after year. But ‘built to last’ means so much more in this day and age, since Blue Circle is also manufactured to help protect the future of our planet, reduce carbon emissions, and utilise sustainable practices throughout production, packaging and delivery.
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n an increasingly conscious society, where sustainability matters, Tarmac’s commitment to BS8500 standards,
recyclable packaging and environmentally conscious delivery ensures Blue Circle not only stands the test of time but is built to last by preserving the world around us too.
Making a difference Blue Circle’s strength lies in its heritage, with more than 100 years in the market and a reputation for reliability in the DIY sector. However, its focus is also on the future, as the brand continues its journey to become even more sustainable.
Garry Gregory, packed
products director at Tarmac, says: “Sustainable production of cement involves a multifaceted approach aimed at minimising environmental impact across the entire product journey. “In production, it encompasses implementing energy-efficient technologies, optimising raw material extraction, minimising waste and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Embracing alternative fuels also contributes to lower
carbon emissions. We’ve already introduced the UK’s first battery electric mixer truck, for example, and Tarmac procures 100% of its site electricity from clean energy sources.
“However, while cement
production is a good place to start, it’s only one part of the challenge to deliver a more sustainable product.”
The five Ps In fact, production is one of five pillars that Tarmac has identified as key to improving the sustainability of cement products. Supply chain emissions are also important, which is why production efficiencies should always be considered alongside changes in process, product, packaging and placement too. It is notable that Blue Circle is manufactured in the UK, which gives Tarmac control of its scope three emissions, ensuring local suppliers where possible. Focusing on process, the concrete and cement sector currently accounts for seven per cent of global carbon emissions, predominantly from the chemical reaction that creates cement and the energy required to do so. Applying automation, reducing physical administration and optimising digital solutions is
all helping to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of product collections and deliveries in a way that is streamlined, robust and easy to use. This includes electronic payments and electronic proof of delivery (EPOD), as well as enhanced waste reduction and recycling initiatives, ensuring that by-products and waste materials are utilised effectively rather than being sent directly to landfill. Tarmac is also making strides under the product pillar, ensuring that Blue Circle products adhere to key certifications like BS8500, while innovating the use of alternative materials or additives that reduce the clinker content, which is one of the main sources of carbon emissions in cement production. Garry Gregory adds: “By prioritising sustainability in product development, we’re enabling solutions, that not only meet construction needs (and in many cases enhanced durability, longevity and performance), but also contribute to a more environmentally responsible built environment.
“One key step on our route map is to move all ready-to-use Blue Circle products from CEM I to CEM II over the next 12 months. This
will deliver up to a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions.” Another key area where
improvements can be made is in packaging. There are very few materials
more present in packaging than plastic. In fact, 34 per cent of the 90 million tonnes of construction waste generated each year is derived from materials used to package products and materials. With the introduction of a plastic packaging tax (PPT) in 2023, businesses also have further incentive to use recycled plastic in packaging. Tarmac has recognised the need to go beyond just meeting regulatory requirements. Even before PPT, it had already been using 30% recycled plastic in packaging for 12 months and since then has been working with suppliers to increase that figure, ensuring that Tarmac’s aggregates and cements packaging now contains 50% recycled materials – the first cement manufacturer to do so. Trials are also taking place with packaging that contains 60% and 80% recycled plastics, and the brand is actively working towards developing a net-zero packaging solution within the next few years. Finally, Tarmac has also identified the role of placement and transportation in delivering a more sustainable cement product. Significant reductions can be made by reinventing traditional delivery methods, reducing road deliveries, and expanding the use of alternative fuels. Tarmac has made great strides in transitioning the mode of transport from road to rail wherever feasible, thus reducing overall road deliveries. It also works to maximise the amount of product delivered on every vehicle. In the Packed Products business, for example, Tarmac has increased its delivery load fill by around 10%, taking 1,400 deliveries off the road every year, by working closely with its hauliers and customers, and through clever logistics planning.
Built to last Garry Gregory concludes: “It’s clear that continued improvements need to be made, but with innovative thinking and a holistic approach, we’re setting a blueprint for sustainability success across the Blue Circle range, giving DIY customers the platform to make a difference. It’s built to last, in every sense.”
For more information on Tarmac Blue Circle and its sustainability benefits, visit
www.tarmac-bluecircle.co.uk.
www.diyweek.net AUGUST 2024 DIY WEEK 27
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