Recycled content in construction of education facilities

1. Recycled content in construction of education facilities 8 December 2006 XXXXXXXXXX

2. Outline • About WRAP • Materials resource efficiency in construction • Case studies • WRAP resources • Discussion – Q&A

3. Materials efficiency Reduce raw material use Reduce waste Materials with recycled content Reduce landfill Save resources Recycling / composting A two thirds reduction in consumption of fossil fuels and virgin materials is needed to achieve a sustainable and globally equitable level WWF – “One planet living study” - 2004

4. WRAP’s construction focus • construction waste minimisation and management • construction materials recycling • construction procurement (RC requirements) “Helping the construction industry cut costs and increase efficiency through the better use of materials”

5. Materials efficiency in construction M tonnes Quantity of construction and demolition waste generated (~90 Mt per year) Waste construction materials that are recycled (~45 Mt per year)

6. Materials efficiency in construction M tonnes Overall material consumption by construction industry (~420 Mt per year) Quantity of construction and demolition waste generated (~90 Mt per year) Waste construction materials that are recycled (~45 Mt per year)

7. Materials Efficiency as part of Sustainable Construction Sustainability goals Energy Materials Water Material selection Waste management Using local construction and demolition waste Waste avoidance and minimisation Efficient use of finite natural materials Returning surplus materials Use products with high recycled content Segregation and recycling Use renewable materials from sustainable sources Minimising environmental damage Specification of materials with low enviro. impact

8. Why require recycled content? • Practical way of making a difference • Cost neutral with potential for cost saving • Simple way of measuring achievement

9. Setting procurement requirements delivers tangible benefits • cost neutral with the potential for cost saving • reduces burden on landfill sites • stimulates market for recovered materials • reduces demand for finite natural resources • reduces carbon emissions

10. Policy drivers NI Central Procurement Directorate EU Landfill Directive and UK Landfill Tax (1990s) Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act Code for Sustainable Homes Scottish Executive Minister’s letter OGC-AE11 Govt. Sustainable Procurement Group SBTG Secure & Sustainable Buildings Act Scottish Executive Policy Commitment Sustainable Procurement Task Force Aggregate Levy ODPM-PPS1 2004 2006 2005 2007 2003 Increasing thrust of sustainability policy

11. Embedded in public policy • Scottish Executive Minister for Environment & Rural Development has written to all public sector bodies requesting contracts to include requirements for RC in construction projects and procurement of printing, writing paper and tissue products Partnership for a Better Scotland The Partnership Agreement contains a commitment to: “use the public purchasing rules to enhance the status of recycled goods and those capable of reuse” • A number of public bodies in Scotland have already set RC requirements, including: • Glasgow City Council (as a policy for all its major construction projects) • Aberdeen City Council (schools project) • Raploch Urban Regeneration Company • Dundee City Council (waste infrastructure project) • South Ayrshire Council (schools project)

12. A cost neutral opportunity Best Total project materials cost (£) Good Standard Recycled content (%)

13. Which of these products contain recycled content?   >50% 84% Lightweight block Plasterboard   >80% 100% Glasswool Aggregates

14. Which concrete block has the highest recycled content? >50% ~55% >25% ~5%

15. Examples of mainstream products

16. Cost and performance • mainstream products • familiar manufacturers • products already in use • readily available • reassuring to trades www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/Construction_product_guide_Version_2.efcacd0c.pdf

17. Case study – Primary school • Glasgow, 2004 • Opportunities to increase recycled content: • plasterboard • concrete paving slabs • fencing • flooring • pipe bedding • insulation • ceiling tiles • concrete kerb stones • lightweight block. • Use of recycled content (as a % of total value of materials): • standard practice: 20% • achievable with top three product substitutions: 24% • good practice at no extra project cost: 27%

18. Case study – University Halls of Residence • Queens University, 2006 • Opportunities to increase recycled content: • dense block work • carpet tiles • low strength concrete • hardcore • plasterboard. • Use of recycled content (as a % of total value of materials): • base case: 15% • readily achievable at equivalent cost: 25% • maximum achievable but at extra cost: 37%

19. Case study – Exemplar designs of secondary schools • London, 2005 • Detailed analysis of three exemplar school designs • Potential for a ten-fold increase in the use of recovered materials, potentially diverting an additional 3,000-4,000 tonnes from landfill for each school. • Use of recycled content (as a % of total value of materials): • standard practice: 13 to 16% • good practice at no extra project cost: 16 to 21%

20. A 10% minimum requirement is readily achievable

21. Who is taking action? • Glasgow City Council • Aberdeen City Council • Dundee City Council • Newcastle City Council • Solihull MBC • Sheffield City Council • British Land • Bristol City Council • Welsh Health Estates • Greater London Authority • Northern Ireland Procurement Directorate • Defence Estates • Lancashire County Council • Building Schools for the Future (BSF) • National Grid • Raploch Urban Regeneration Company • Skanska • Scottish Executive • NOMS • Leeds Metropolitan University • …and many more

22. Building Schools for the Future minimum threshold for recycled content in model Output Specification Bradford University minimum recycled content requirement in refurbishment programme Leeds Metropolitan University corporate policy for minimum requirement for new buildings Taking action - Education

23. Recommended wording ‘….at least 10% of the total value of materials used should derive from recycled and reused content in the products and materials selected.  In addition, show that the most significant opportunities to increase the value of materials derived from recycled and reused content have been considered, such as the top ten Quick Wins or equivalent, and implement good practice where technically and commercially viable.’

24. Client sets requirement e.g. “10% recycled content by value plus evidence of good practice” Design team estimates baseline e.g. X% as baseline practice and identify candidate top 5-10 Quick Wins Review of Quick Wins Contractor selects Quick Wins, consulting with suppliers, subcontractors, design team and client where necessary Available manufactured products with higher recycled content, plus reclaimed products Potential for local re-use and recycling of materials from on-site CDW and nearby demolition Estimate the projected outcome X% baseline practice plus Y% contribution from selected Quick Wins(Design team and contractor) Selection of Quick Wins Implement the Quick Wins Contractor and subcontractors Identifying higher recycled content opportunities PROCESS MAP Verification Client can check for simple evidence that Quick Wins were used

25. Support available WRAP have prepared a comprehensive support package covering: • exemplar wording for pre-qualification questionnaires, briefs and contracts. • on-line recycled content toolkits for calculating performance and opportunities. • reference guides identifying specific products with higher levels of recycled content. • case studies covering all types of construction. www.wrap.org.uk/construction/construction_procurement/index.html

26. The recycled content toolkit • calculates the recycled content baseline • identifies the largest Quick Win opportunities, using information on: • basic dimensions • key design specifications • provides pre-formatted performance reports.

27. Summary • increasing recycled content has a tangible impact on resource efficiency • setting a requirement is easy to do • no impact on: • cost • design or specification • quality • other project goals • WRAP support for: • policy and project wording • calculating recycled content • identifying products • a quantifiable, demonstrable contribution to a sustainability or CSR strategy.