This question analyses responses to the consultation on the draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction. The aim of the consultation was to gather views to important questions covered in the draft. BuilderScrap.com have been publishing the respondents views over the past month to keep our subscribers informed about upcoming government initiatives. We’ve thought the process involved in creating a road map of this type from a public consultation is very interesting

Q: Are there any issues which have not been covered which you feel should be addressed? If so, what are they and what targets and milestones would you propose?

1. A fifth of responses felt Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) could make an important contribution to surface water management. Just over half of those that discussed SUDS explicitly supported consultation on the future development of SUDS. Smaller numbers (7%) raised issues regarding the long term payment and maintenance agreements required for SUDS to function correctly. A range of other points regarding SUDS were also made, including the suggestion that it should not be restricted to the urban context. 14% of respondents felt that there was inadequate reference to the need for adaptation planning with regard to flooding, especially in light of the flooding in the summer of 2007. Rain and grey water collection and processing systems were supported by 10% of respondents, some of whom favoured an explicit target for their adoption. 7% of respondents felt that Government should encourage the public to use water more efficiently. 5% of respondents favoured water metering, the introduction of reduced flow fittings and action to address leakages in the water distribution network. Other suggestions – from a small number of respondents – ranged from support for a national water grid to desalination plants.

Time now for the next part of the Draft on sustainable construction brought to you by Builderscrap.com. Today we reflect on the previous posts and scrutinise the time frames given.

Q: Do the targets and milestones appear realistic, achievable and sufficiently ambitious over the time frames envisaged? If not, then please suggest alternatives, and who should be responsible for their implementation.

1. Around 75% of respondents who answered this question agreed that the proposed targets were realistic and achievable. A smaller proportion (15%) favoured more challenging targets.

2. The only comment on the first target (All new homes built with English Partnerships or Housing Corporation funding to meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes (105 litres per person per day) from April 2008) was that there should be a link to the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

3. A small number of respondents to the second target felt that the target level of litres per head/ per day set in the Building Regulations in 2008 should be 100 litres/head/day and not, as proposed, 125 litres/head/day.

4. Some respondents felt that the fourth target (reduction in water consumption by 25% on office and non-office estate by 2020 relative to 2004/05 levels) needed greater clarity.

Another question from the now infamous sustainable construction draft strategy.  Please feedback to us on our BuilderScrap.com blog if you have an comments.

Q: What specific actions could the construction industry take to lead by example and procure projects more sustainably?

1. A significant proportion of respondents said this was an issue for clients. Indeed, some respondents said the construction industry had no role to play.

2. Many saw effective delivery of the Egan integration agenda as the key contribution the industry could make. Some respondents suggested Government could provide leadership here (some suggesting Government funding should be conditional on integration) and on whole life costing and sustainable sourcing of products and materials.

3. Some respondents pointed to the challenge of defining either sustainability or whole life costs or value. There was also a view that there should be two strategies – one for new build and one for refurbishment/renovation. A number of people welcomed the inclusion of off-site construction and saw this as a key way in which more sustainable construction could be delivered.

4. Concerns were expressed about the timber target in the absence of targets for other materials.

5. Some respondents emphasised the importance of whole life costing to the industry’s future. A number of responses pointed to the focus on initial price as being a key barrier to a more sustainable industry. There were suggestions that industry should work with Government to develop one or two mandatory / standardised approaches to Whole Life Costing (WLC). Some also called for a greater focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) / environmental reporting / environmental management in procurement decisions.

6. The need to ensure the industry and its customers had the right skills to understand sustainability in the procurement context featured in a number of responses.

Here at BuilderScrap we are all about lowering the environmental impact of the construction industry, but in a way that doesn’t cost money and can in fact help you lower costs and increase profit. The following is a list of ten green practices that can also help to boost your profit. Click here to view the original article.

1. Design – utilise standard material sizes where possible and try to forecast your waste output so as to plan better for its disposal
2. Site waste – talk to suppliers, they may buy back left-over materials or replace any damaged items. Alternatively, use BuilderScrap to get rid of surplus. Consider if any of your stock is wasted due to weather – do you need to look into changing your storage system?
3. Purchase smart – where possible choose recycled products and look for materials with as little packaging as possible (or recyclable packaging)
4. Reuse/ recycle waste on site – from drinks cans to materials, encourage a recycling culture on site from day one
5. Security can be a major issue – Why not look into solar powered security cameras to protect your site?
6. Salvage yards – find out about local salvage yards and their rules and requirements to help you sort and prepare waste. Ask about monetary rewards for certain items
7. Filter/ divert your jobsite water run off – the government has regulations regarding this helping to protect public waterways. Find out about this to save you from fines later on
8. Research greener alternatives to your materials - They may not be as expensive as you think
9. Design for deconstruction – bear in mind the end of the building’s life and what could be reused or recycled.
10. Keep a record of everything for future reference - For information on Site Waste Management Plans, see our resource section

I hope you find these tips useful. As the environment is an issue ever growing in its importance, we need to bear this in mind as we look to cut our costs.