Just got back from The BEST Show at the NEC arena in Birmingham, it has already been an exhausting first part of the week, my colleagues Mike and Beckie had the privilege of being down for the full 3 days, where as I was dropped into the mix late Tuesday morning.

The show itself was excellent; we spoke with lots of exciting people who are all eager to help drive BuilderScrap forward which is always great. We met a couple of some what unusual characters which is to be expected at an event where people from all over the world come to see what new technologies are out there to make their construction life easier.

‘Understanding European low carbon product standardisation and how to apply this at design stage’, was a particular favourite, yes it is a mouth full but gave us a very good understanding of the importance of embodied carbon in construction products.

I think we changed a lot of people’s views, well I hope we did, a lot of people where still talking about recycling building materials, recycled building materials do help the environment but the most frustrating problem we at BuilderScrap come in contact with almost on a daily basis is unused building materials being thrown away or being recycled.

We met an awful lot of charity organisations all in desperate need for cheap or free building materials to help all the community projects not being properly funded. The best parts of these types of shows is that we meet our existing users and get a bit of customer feed back, we were very pleased to hear a number of success stories with one man telling us how he saved £4,000 by purchasing windows and doors from our site.

We are always very interested in hearing feed back; we want to continue to improve our services in order to give our users the best possible outcome when using our website.

BuilderScrap recently attended an exhibition at the University of Lancashire (Preston), where I  got the opportunity to listen to several seminars on a variety of topics regarding construction and in particular green building.  One which particularly stood out to me was a seminar by the University of Liverpool research on Developing Sustainable Concrete Products.

The group has had a considerable amount of success in developing a number of sustainable concrete products manufactured using recycled building materials from demolition waste materials. They are still in the developing stages of the product so the product range is currently fairly limited. The existing products that are fully developed for sustainable concrete include:

• Paving Blocks
• Building Blocks
• Paving Flags

These products have been proved to conform to required British and European standards.

The aggregate component of conventional concretes consists of a mix of quarried stone and sand in different size fractions.  These aggregates comprise the bulk of the concrete mix.

In Liverpool, they have conducted considerable research into the feasibility of using recycled building materials as a substitute for quarried aggregates, and the effect of using such recycled fractions on the concrete’s physical properties.

Aggregate derived from recycled concrete can replace up to 60% of the coarse fraction and up to 30% of the fine fraction, whereas masonry-derived aggregate can only replace a maximum of 20% of either fraction.

The University of Liverpool are developing a technique for the complete replacement of cement to produce a cementless geopolymer using waste materials such as:

• Incinerator ash
• Basic oxygen steel slag
• Ash disposed from coal –fired thermal power plants

Combining the replacement materials with waste alkali solutions from existing manufacturing processes, will enable them to develop cost effective green precast concrete products, manufactured from 100% recycled materials.

At BuilderScrap, we love to hear about new innovation helping sustainable construction.  Please contact us if you know of any new ideas or innovations.

Councils in England are to be offered extra money for every newly-built home, as part of a government programme aimed at easing housing shortages.

Under the New Homes Bonus scheme the government will match the council tax raised on each new house for six years.

For every new home built the government will match the council tax raised on each new house for a period of six years – for a band D home that would be around £1400.

With 4.5m people now on council house waiting lists the new drive has been designed to help lower these lists and provide modern, efficient housing for their new residents.

Brendon Kenny of materials reuse platform BuilderScrap commented that, ‘this bold new initiative could help millions of people off waiting lists and into affordable housing. What the government needs to ensure is that construction site waste is minimised and that any reusable materials are put back into the community by posting them onto BuilderScrap. Statistics show that 14% (equivalent to approx 16.8m tonnes per annum)of all new construction materials are wasted and simply thrown away. Given the size of this new initiative, many other community building projects could benefit hugely if a properly managed, materials reuse policy using BuilderScrap is deployed by the construction companies’

This interesting article which we recently came across here at BuilderScrap discusses some helpful hints and tips for sustainable construction and green developments.  The article comes from the West Lancashire Council website.  Have a read and let us know what you think.
Our environment is precious and we strongly support design and construction that promotes environmental, social and economic gain – now and for future generations. Latest figures from the Environment Agency show that the construction and operation of buildings makes up 60% of the UK’s energy use and 50% of our greenhouse gas emissions.
Construction and demolition activities alone represent 19% of the country’s total waste. To help developers – or anyone planning construction work – to reduce these figures, we’ve put together a simple guide to some of the key areas of sustainable design and construction:

Energy Efficient Design:
The way in which a building is designed plays a huge part in how energy efficient it will be once it’s occupied. If the property is to be as energy efficient as possible, developers need to give consideration to the following during the design stage: 
Passive solar building design: Optimise the amount of energy that can be generated directly from the sun and reduce the need for heating and cooling appliances. This can be achieved by:
-large south facing windows that absorb the sun’s heat and daylight
-locating the main living areas of the development in the south facing rooms to maximise these natural benefits 
-planting deciduous trees to the south of the building – this will provide shade during summer and allow heat through in winter
Thermal mass: The thermal mass of a building is the ability of a material to absorb heat. Choosing a building fabric that is effective at heating, cooling and storing thermal energy is an efficient way of maintaining stable, comfortable temperatures. It also reduces the need for artificial systems and therefore reduces the impact on the environment. Materials with good thermal mass are those that have high specific heat capacity, high density and low thermal conductivity, enabling them to slowly store and release relatively large quantities of heat. 
Passive ventilation: Utilise natural ventilation methods to avoid the use of mechanical air conditioning.
Insulation: A high level of insulation in any new development is an essential step to an energy efficient design. Mineral wools and oil-based products should be avoided as they are non-renewable, have high embodied energy, are difficult to dispose of and release greenhouse gases during manufacture, installation, use and disposal. There are many types of natural, sustainable, insulation for example hemp natural fibres, recycled cotton, sheep’s wool or cellulose insulation, which comes from recycled newspapers.
Lighting: Install fixed energy efficient light fittings to minimise energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. This should include lighting in garages, outbuildings, communal areas and outside security or feature lighting.
Landscaping: Tree canopies and soft landscaping will provide natural shading and insulation. Open water in public places will also help reduce the heat island effect in urban areas.
Energy efficient appliances: These should be installed or specified, for example Combined Heat and Power systems (CHP) or gas condensing boilers.
Bicycle storage: Provision of these facilities will help encourage future occupants to use a bicycle for short journeys and leave the car at home.
Drying space: Provide residents with the option of allowing washing to dry naturally – avoiding the need for heating or drying appliances.
Home office: Office space with internet connection provides the opportunity to work from home, reducing the need to travel especially during peak travel times when roads are heavily congested.
Information packs: Developers should provide all future residents with a home information pack detailing the energy efficiency of the building and environmentally friendly tips to reduce energy use, water use, waste and travel.

Renewable Energy: Renewable energy is a high priority to help us meet the national goal of a 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. In 2000, central government set the wheels in motion by placing a target of achieving 10% of our electricity supply from renewable sources by 2010. We strongly encourage proposals for renewable energy generation. All development sites should be assessed for opportunities to install renewables and should consider if a mix of technologies would be most effective. Building designs should also allow for the future installations of renewables. Types of renewable and low carbon technologies include: 
Wind power 
Solar photovoltaics
Solar water heating
Biomass heating
Wave and tidal
Ground source heat pumps
Hydroelectric power
Geothermal power
More information about renewable energies can be found at the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website.  Large and high-density developments should also consider incorporating sustainable energy supplies such as Combined Heat and Power, and Borough cooling systems.

Building Materials: Below are a few things for developers to consider with regard to building materials.
Re-use and recycle: Opportunities for re-using existing materials on site should be explored.  Of course BuilderScrap can help with the reuse of materials by finding buyers for any surplus building materials. Where this is not practical, materials should be recycled. Using new materials that can be recycled at the end of their life should also be prioritised. 
Embodied energy: This is the amount of energy required to produce a product. For example UPVC windows have high embodied energy due to their long manufacturing process, which requires fuel and produces toxic bi-products. They are also very difficult to recycle after use and will not biodegrade over time. Timber has a low embodied energy, as it is a natural product that is easily utilised. It can also be easily re-used and will biodegrade. Timber can be easily repaired which is more sustainable than throwing it away and replacing with new. Timber should be from a sustainable source.
Locally sourced: Products that can be sourced locally should be used to minimise the emissions from vehicles used to transport goods.
Construction activities: Activities carried out during the construction phase can often cause significant environmental impacts if not managed correctly. Measures should be put in place to manage and control the amount of energy and water used. A site waste management plan should be followed to ensure waste is kept to a minimum and emissions to air, land and water are controlled at all times.
Waste Management: All construction sites produce waste, so it’s important to try and keep it to a minimum by reducing, re-using and recycling materials wherever possible. Government regulations make it compulsory for developments costing over £300,000 to have a Site Waste Management Plan – but this is a great idea for any development. A management plan will help increase the amount of construction waste that is recovered, recycled and re-used, improve resource efficiency and help ensure you are compliant with waste management legislation.
Storage of waste: Developers should ensure that sufficient waste storage is provided to allow future residents to store recycling containers and separate their waste. Access for collection crew and vehicles should also be considered in the early design stages.

BuilderScrap.com wants to give an honourable mention to the Welsh Assembly. This post is from the good guys at lets recycle.com… keep up the great work!

All the team want to show our appreciation to Merthyr Tydfil county borough council for their continuing efforts.  They clearly are aligned with our own goals in trying to reduce waste sent to landfill.

The Welsh Assembly Government has on (March 13 2009) announced an £800,000 package to help reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill across Wales- including £100,000 to help Merthyr Tydfil county borough council increase recycling.

It is important that residual waste is managed in the most sustainable way and that the waste we produce is progressively reduced over time

Jane Davidson, Welsh minister for environment

In Merthyr Tydfil, the funding will be used for a door-knocking campaign to encourage more households to recycle their waste and help Wales become a greener, more sustainable country. The council reported a 26.2% municipal waste recycling and composting rate in 2006/07.

The remainder of the £800,000 is expected to be used to support plastics recycling in Wales and develop “Zero waste places” – although full details have yet to emerge.

The move comes ahead of the launch of the revised Welsh Waste Strategy for consultation next month, which will set out a new framework for governing waste across the principality.

Jane Davidson, minister for the environment, sustainability and housing, said: “We all have a responsibility for our environment and to reduce Wales’ ecological footprint. A huge part of this is reducing the amount of rubbish we send to landfill. This is no longer sustainable environmentally or financially. I am delighted to be supporting this new scheme to help Merthyr households with their recycling.

“The more we recycle and the less we throw away into landfill the greater our impact will be as individuals in guarding our environment.

“It is important that residual waste is managed in the most sustainable way and that the waste we produce is progressively reduced over time. Then, perhaps, in the more distant future we can contemplate true ‘zero waste – or not producing any waste at all,” she added.

Mike Thomas, head of environmental services for Merthyr Tydfil county borough council, welcomed the funding, which he said would help to boost participation in recycling.
Related links

Welsh Assembly Government

He said: “Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has already rolled out several initiatives this year, including weekly collection of food waste to 80% of our households. It’s now down to increasing participation rates and a door knocking campaign is viewed as the best method of making meaningful contact with “reluctant” householders.

The recycling campaign will support Wise About Waste, Wales’ strategy which set recycling targets for local authorities. The strategy is under review and will be re-launched for consultation with ambitious new targets to 2050 in April 2009.

source: http://www.letsrecycle.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=37&listcatid=217&listitemid=31233

Let us know if your local authority has similar goals or has invested some money or time in initiatives to reduce waste. Provide free building materials from surplus building supplies or how they recycling existing materials.

Here at BuilderScrap.com we’ve been looking at some interesting information from Defra. This is an older press release from April, but we think is still relevant… Low carbon economy.   The Secretary of State for Environment Hilary Benn today welcomed the measures in the 2009 Budget which encourage investment in low carbon jobs and energy generation using organic waste.

The Chancellor announced additional funding of £10 million for anaerobic digestion and waste infrastructure and a continued increase of £8 per tonne per year to the standard rate of landfill tax up to 2013. These measures will encourage investment in sustainable waste management and will enable over 850,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent savings to be made each year, which will help towards achieving the Government’s carbon budget.

Following the Budget statement Hilary Benn said:

“The Government is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and finding alternative sources of energy. The £10 million for food waste reprocessing will play a vital role in providing alternative energy, diverting a further 316,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the UK we produce over 100 million tonnes of organic material every year that, through anaerobic digestion, could be used to create enough energy to heat and power over two million homes.

“And it’s not only the environment that will benefit. Increasing our anaerobic digestion capability will also stimulate a greener economy by creating skilled jobs in construction, collection and reprocessing of organic waste.”

Anaerobic digestion is the process of breaking down organic material such as food waste and farm manures and slurries to create heat and power and transport fuel.

In February Defra announced the UK’s goal to become a world leader in this innovative technology. Businesses ranging from the energy sector, water, retail and agriculture support this goal and a task group is working on a programme to implement the plans of Government and industry. The £10 million funding package announced in the budget today is in addition to the £10 million already earmarked in 2008 to build demonstration plants. From April 1 2009 Government has doubled the level of support for anaerobic digestion through the Renewable Obligation.

An increase in the UK’s anaerobic digestion capability will also help to deliver landfill targets. This was bolstered in the Budget that will continue the increase in Landfill Tax in increments of eight pounds a year up to 2013.

Mr Benn continued:

“The Landfill Tax has really helped to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and encouraging businesses and local authorities to move towards a more sustainable approach to handling waste. In the last year alone efforts by local authorities have reduced their landfill from 18 million tonnes in 2006 to 15 tonnes in 2008, and by encouraging greater recycling, carbon emissions have fallen by 11 million tonnes– the same as taking 3.6 million cars off the road overnight.”

Notes

1. ‘Anaerobic Digestion – Shared Goals’ sets shared national ambitions for anaerobic digestion, both nationally and within individual sectors.  The document and the list of organisations which have endorsed it so far are available at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/ad/government.htm

2. Anaerobic digestion breaks down organic matter, such as animal manure and food waste, to produce biogas which can be used as a renewable energy source for heat and power, and as a transport fuel.  It produces a nutrient-rich digestate which can be used as fertiliser, and importantly it keeps organic waste out of landfill, which cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Electricity from anaerobic digestion is eligible for support in the form of ROCs (Renewable Obligation Certificates).  On 1 April 2009, the Government introduced differentiated support levels for different renewables technologies (known as “banding”).  Anaerobic digestion is among the technologies that receive additional support in the form of multiple ROCs.  Anaerobic digestion now receives 2 ROCs/MWh (Renewable Obligation Certificates per Megawatt hour).

4. In-Vessel Composting (IVC) is a process that breaks down organic matter to produce a compost while contained in a closed environment. Food Waste is subject to the Animal By-Products Regulations that require composting to take place in closed containers or buildings with no access by vermin, and meet stringent requirements for temperature and pasteurisation to kill disease causing organisms. All food waste must be processed by IVC or AD facilities.

5. Landfill targets set by the European Union are:

* By 2010 to reduce the amount of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) going to landfill to 75% of that produced in 1995.
* By 2013 to reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 50% of that produced in 1995.
* By 2020 to reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 35% of that produced in 1995.

6. The £10 million additional funding for anaerobic digestion projects is expected to deliver around 178,500 tonnes per year in CO2 savings.

7. Increases in Landfill Tax up to 2013 are expected to deliver around 700,000 tonnes per year in CO2 savings.

The final part of the BuilderScrap.com Draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction.

There were no consultation questions relating specifically to innovation, however, several comments were made by respondents regarding the Innovation chapter and these are summarised below:

1. The main points made on innovation were:

Support for R&D or Knowledge Transfer Some suggested that sustainable construction might not act as a direct driver for change within the industry since its economic benefits might be long-term or hidden. The industry was unlikely to fund research into sustainability or sustainable construction on its own; Government support and / or additional fiscal incentives for R&D might be needed. Some attached importance to the testing, demonstration and independent third party certification of new products or services. Greater certainty on funding streams for developers and end-users would assist product development.

Innovation Measurement The consultation document suggested using the BERR Community Innovation Survey to track a target of increasing the numbers of “innovation active” companies in the sector. Respondents felt that some work was needed to clarify “innovation active” in the context of the sector and develop challenging benchmarks and targets recognised and
accepted by the industry.

Learning from overseas Some respondents said the UK construction industry could benefit from greater awareness of overseas experience.

Regulation and standards Some suggested that Building Regulations should aim to be more outcome based and non-prescriptive to assist innovation.

Thanks for reading.

We have recently come across this interesting article which highlights ten tips for complying with the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Whilst much of the housing industry has become familiar with the Code for Sustainable Homes rating, the 300-page Technical Guide can still present a daunting prospect.
The Code Simply Explained, produced by experts from BRE and NHBC, has been produced as a handy guide to help developers, builders and contractors comply with the Code and achieve a good score in a practical and cost-effective manner.

In particular it focuses on Levels 3 and 4 as the most commonly specified at present, but with principles equally applicable to all levels of the Code.

Below are ten top tips from the NHBC Foundation for climbing up the Code rating system, adapted from The Code Simply Explained (full copy):

1. Start early
At a very early stage, before the site layout has been finalised, start to consider Code-related issues. Particularly mandatory requirements which must be implemented in full to achieve any Code level rating in many cases. But credits may be achieved more easily for issues such as energy, daylighting, and ecology amongst others if measures are integrated into the design now, for example by orientating roofs and living spaces to the south to make best use of solar energy. Seek advice from a qualified Code assessor to ensure that the criteria have been correctly understood.
2. Target easy-win credits
Several credits can be achieved through measures which are independent of the design and achievable in all developments. This includes simple measures such as energy-efficient light fittings and a drying line, and will be cost-effective to specify in most developments.
 3. Enhance ecology and reduce flood risk
By taking site factors such as flood risk and ecological values into account at an early stage, the baseline for the Code score can be assessed. Sites of high ecological value or with a risk of flooding are likely to increase the cost of achieving a high Code rating, so this needs to be considered. An ecological survey following Code guidelines will still be worthwhile to improve the score for most sites, both Greenfield and previously developed.
 4. Effective construction and supply chain management
Implementing measures relating to the construction stage such as monitoring of energy and water use and reducing pollution risk can be a cost-effective way to improve your score, but requires preparation in advance of starting on site so that procedures are in place and the workforce are aware of them. In particular, a Site Waste Management Plan is a mandatory requirement so must be given early consideration. Modern Methods of Construction using offsite construction can help make this process easier.
5. Reduce water consumption in the planning stages
Early attention to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs) can be cost-effective and potentially provide amenity value through the use of water features such as ponds.  The mandatory requirement to reduce runoff volumes, and not just peak run off rates, is an important one to get right, necessitating full consideration of infiltration and rainwater harvesting opportunities. Rainwater harvesting can contribute to reducing surface water runoff and reduce internal water use, but this needs very careful design to meet the requirements of both.
6. Plan the layout to give the space you need
Considering the site layout from an early stage gives the best opportunity to include space requirements for highly weighted Lifetime Homes credits, and a design that enables direct access to rear gardens means that garden sheds can be used for cycle storage. An option for a room-in-the-roof means that an extra credit can be gained to improve the score later on, if this proves to be the preferred strategy.
7. Consider the environmental impact of your materials
Looking at the proposed building materials early means that most types of constructions can perform well – there are many equivalent products with lower environmental impact but equally fit for purpose. There is a mandatory requirement for ratings against the Green Guide so a strategy to achieve that is vital.
8. Ensure your house is Secured By Design
Incorporate the recommendations of a police architectural liaison officer or crime prevention design officer to meet Part 2 of the Secured By Design award is a straightforward way to gain extra credits
9. Insulate to improve performance and reduce consumption
Designing the building fabric to achieve a good sound performance and air tightness and to avoid thermal bridges requires many of the same principles and can help achieve credits in several different areas. Building fabric with a high thermal performance will help to reduce carbon emissions and provide benefits to residents for the full lifetime of the building,
10. Employ strategies to enhance energy sources
Ensure a strategy is in place for low and zero carbon energy technologies, such as renewables and CHP. Most developments will need these technologies to meet Code Level 3 or higher, and the mandatory requirements for carbon dioxide emissions can be very expensive or impractical to achieve unless their integration is planned from the start.

BuilderScrap have recently begun workign with BRE to discuss how the two initiatives can benefit each other.  Watch this space for news!

As you know, BuilderScrap supports the reuse of surplus building supplies wherever possible, but we appreciate that sometimes you need to buy new products.  The second part of the Howstuffworks article is all about making greener choices when it comes to procuring construction materials.

Recycled materials
Recycled building materials can be postindustrial (industrial byproducts) or postconsumer (recycled wood, metal, concrete). You can find a recycled version of pretty much any building material.

Recycled fly-ash from industrial furnaces makes concrete high-strength. Concrete can also be pulverized and remixed with cement to make new concrete.
If you’re building a deck, you can use “wood” made from recycled bottles.
Steel is easily melted down and re-formed into new structural shapes.
Sneaker soles can be shredded to make athletic surfaces.
Even buildings that are imploded into a pile of rubble are recycled. Equipment, like large claws and shears, can crush and separate steel and concrete into separate piles for recycling.

Floors
Bamboo and cork floors are becoming popular choices because of their resemblance to traditional hardwood floors. The main problem with traditional hard woods — like pine, maple and oak — is that those forests take decades to regrow. Oak can take up to 120 years to fully mature [source: Treehugger]. But bamboo and cork are fast-growing: Bamboo (which is actually a grass) generally regenerates in about four to six years, and cork plants regrow in about nine years. Both get extra green points because their installation processes don’t require toxic adhesives and produce less air-polluting fumes. They’re also comparable in price to other wood floors, but there are more than a thousand varieties of bamboo and cork, so quality, color and price can vary widely. The Consumer Reports 2008 Buying Guide reported that bamboo and cork floors are susceptible to UV-ray discoloration, and some types require special cleaning products [source: Consumer Reports].

Other green flooring options include manufactured or engineered wood floors. These are actually veneers, made of layers of wood (often recycled) laminated together. They’re typically cheaper and easier to install than traditional hardwood floors, but they also aren’t as durable.

­Tankless water heaters
Tankless water heaters produce heat only when a hot water tap is turned on, so they don’t waste energy in “standby” mode. The water moves directly through the heater as it is needed — it isn’t stored in a tank. Tankless heaters can be electric or gas-powered (gas usually provides a higher water flow) and they come in various sizes. You can get one for the entire house or only for one appliance — the dishwasher, for example. They are more expensive than conventional water heaters, but considering that heating water accounts for 15 percent of the average home’s energy bills, you could recoup that cost sooner than later [source: Alliance to Save Energy].

­­Insulation
Consumer Reports says that heating and cooling costs comprise 45 percent of the average homeowner’s utility bills [source: ­Consumer Reports]. According to the government’s Energy Star site, extra insulation can cut those costs by 15 to 20 percent.
But installation of traditional fiberglass insulation requires a mask and gloves, which brings up a problem: If the fiberglass is so toxic that it can’t be inhaled or touched, why are we sealing ourselves into the house with it? Recycled denim and shredded newsprint are quickly becoming the hottest green alternatives for insulation. Traditional fiberglass insulation has been refined over the years, but recycled materials don’t contain as many chemicals (and they keep trash out of landfills). Recycled material is pricier, but it typically rates better than traditional fiberglass in insulation tests.

­In the next post we’ll find out about more possible green additions to your home.­