| Title: |
The economic and environmental benefits of resource efficiency in construction
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| Resource Type: |
document --> technical publication --> report
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| Country: |
United Kingdom
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| Year: |
2008 |
| Availability: |
Product code: SCHO0308BNRX-E-E
SubTitle: Science Report SC050041/SR2
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| Author 1/Producer: |
Environment Agency
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| Author / Producer Type: |
Agency, regulator or other governmental or inter-governmental body
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| ISBN: |
978-1-84432-861-1
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EUGRIS Keyword(s): |
Brownfields
Contaminated land-->Remediation options-->Recycling/reuse
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| Short description: |
This report provides an assessment of current resource usage within the construction sector at a national and project level. This has been achieved by analysing the overall construction products market and applying wastage allowances to this data.
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| Long description: |
EXTRACT:
Ten million tonnes of new construction products are wasted every year, at a cost of over £1.5 billion. This is the result of a study by the Environment Agency to evaluate the potential economic and environmental benefits of the UK construction sector improving resource efficiency. This is equivalent to about two per cent of the overall construction sector output. Reducing the amount of waste by one per cent would mean annual savings of £15 million and 104,000 tonnes of product.
The report estimates that 6.1 million tonnes of construction waste, mainly paints and finishes, floor coverings and light fittings, are sent to land fill every year, at a cost of £917 million. It also estimates that 3.9 million tonnes of construction waste such as ceramics, concrete and cement, worth £583 million are recycled.
The construction sector is hugely resource intensive, using an estimated 400 million tonnes of resources each year. This makes it the single biggest user in the UK economy, accounting for about nine per cent of gross domestic product. In addition, the sector also produces over 30 per cent of England’s total waste along with 32 per cent of its hazardous waste.
As Site Waste Management Plans become mandatory for larger projects from April 2008, it is becoming increasingly important that the sector efficiently manages the resources and waste products from all processes during construction projects.
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Submitted By:
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Professor Paul Bardos WhoDoesWhat?
Last update: 14/03/2008
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