Building Better – the digital platform developed by British Gypsum and Isover, has released the latest episode which focuses on the recent initiatives implemented by the businesses to reduce environmental impact throughout the supply chain. 

With the UK’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it’s more important than ever for companies in the built environment to make the necessary changes to manufacturing, supply chain and logistics processes to significantly reduce waste across the sector.

Highlighting the importance of the episode, Rachel Kelly, Head of Brand at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, said:

“As a business that has its roots in manufacturing, we understand that we have a duty to limit the impact that our production process has on the environment.

“Our improvements so far have helped us to reduce our impact massively and having created a detailed roadmap to help us achieve our carbon net zero ambitions, we don’t intend to stop there. The reward may not always be instant, but we cannot ignore our part in building a better world for the generations to come.”

The episode begins with the manufacturing stage. Ian Hayes, Capital Projects Manager at Isover’s Runcorn manufacturing facility, explores how Isover’s bespoke recycling system reduces waste by recycling materials to be re-used in the production process. While the installation of the Wet Scrap Recycling system was met with challenges, the 24-hour recycling solution has been effective in reducing waste with no impact on product quality or performance.

The episode also looks at the logistics stage of the supply chain. Brian Fisher, Head of Distribution, delves into the business’s roadmap to lower emissions targets. Alongside Johnathan Male, Head of Planning and Fulfilment, this chapter explores the changes that British Gypsum and Isover have made and are continuing to make across the businesses.  Improvements include transitioning the distribution fleet to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and electric fuel sources to reduce CO2 emissions, switching to lighting with sensors to reduce energy usage, implementing the Pallet Loop pallet recovery and reuse scheme and, innovatively, the installation of beehives on site to support the local wildlife.

The episode concludes with a pioneering new recycling process from British Gypsum, which sees no waste from its site in East Leake going to landfill. Raghav Aerasala, Mineral Handling Manager for the site, introduces British Gypsum’s Plasterboard Recycling Scheme (PRS), which sees waste materials from building sites being recycled and reused. As mined rock is a finite resource, the new system means British Gypsum doesn’t need to use extra mining processes unnecessarily. Instead, scrap material is fed back into rock belts for manufacturing again.

Hosted by renowned architectural designer and television personality Charlie Luxton, Building Better delivers inspirational and thought-provoking content weekly via YouTube or the Building Better hub.

To watch the full episode and discover similar content, visit www.saint-gobain.co.uk/building-better-hub.