Why Sustainability Is Important For The Construction Industry

1. Why S u s t a i na b i l i t y I s I mp or t a nt F or T he Cons t r u c t i on I ndu s t r y Nowadays, more and more businesses are turning to remediation services and recycled building materials than ever before. With a range of reclaimed and recycled materials available for many different construction projects for a very low price, it can be said that cost is one of the most attractive features for many choosing to use these products.However, the need for recycled and reclaimed building materials actually has arisen due to several factors, not only the need of building companies for a reasonably priced alternative to primary, raw materials. One of these factors is the need for the construction industry to become more sustainable. One of the main reasons why sustainability is so important is because primary materials are becoming much harder to come by, although this is not the case for all materials. With that said, it is fair to say that there are many raw materials which are increasingly in short supply .Despite this, the use of these primary materials remains high, and currently accounts for 75% of aggregates in the UK. One of the reasons for this is that the popularity of recycled aggregates and remediation services is not yet as widespread as it could be, but pressure is mounting for more building companies to adopt this solution. Currently, the products available on the market fall into two categories: recycled aggregates and secondary aggregates. Both of these are sustainable options that are available at a low cost for building companies, and have the power to transform the industry. Recycled aggregates consist of materials that have previously been used in construction, and have been recprocesed so that they become fit for purpose once again. Examples of these include recycled concrete and asphalt planings. Secondary aggregates are by-products of other industrial processes, and include steel slags, chin clay, fuel ash and late waste. In addition to primary aggregates becoming increasingly harder to source and natural resources becoming more limited, there are also other factors that drive the need for increased sustainability in the building sector. One of these is the increased cost of doing business in the industry, due to the higher cost of transportation and the implementation of aggregates tax.These can make it more difficult for smaller businesses to remain competitive, and for the industry to remain diverse, the availability of competitive priced products is critical. There is also an obvious environmental impact of using remediation services and recycled and secondary aggregates. Part of this is the fact that fewer construction materials go to landfill, especially as a great majority of these are in fact recyclable. This means that landfill space is managed better, and valuable materials are reclaimed.

2. There is also the production of primary aggregates which needs to be considered, as almost every step of the process has a negative impact on the environment, from destroying natural landscapes and depleting natural resources to releasing toxic chemicals into various natural habitats. Using recycled and secondary aggregates is therefore very appealing to companies looking to 'go green'. The quality of recycled and secondary aggregates has improved in recent years, meaning that this is a more viable option than first thought for many construction companies. With a range of materials and services available - including remediation services and recycling depot services - it is easier than ever to implement these sustainable practices too. In conclusion, the need for sustainability in the building sector has been driven by the rising inaccessibility of some primary aggregates, the increased cost of sourcing primary aggregates and the effect this has on competition within the marketplace, and the environmentally damaging processes caused by relying on primary aggregates only. With the prominence of remediation services and availability of quality recycled and secondary aggregates however, more and more companies are looking into sustainable alternatives which will pave the way for a more responsible and sustainable construction industry as a whole. About Us:OCL Regeneration Ltd use modern and effective material recycling techniques to provide high quality, sustainable and environmentally friendly construction materials. We are a private, independent company whose management and staff have many years’ experience in the sustainable building materials sector in the UK. Serving the construction and construction materials industries, our products and services include: recycled aggregates, Foambase, Foambase technical, HBM, recycling depot services, operated plant hire, re-use of tar contaminated arisings, remediation, landfill engineering, and crushing, screening and mixing. Fully quality assured and Competency accredited we place our main focus on Health and Safety and Value Engineering for sustainable solutions to the every-day requirements of the construction industry.