DID YOU KNOW ABOUT – BUILDING MATERIALS

The construction industry has a major impact on the environment, both in terms of the resources it consumes and the waste it produces. The construction industry is responsible for producing a whole variety of different wastes. The amount and type of which depends on factors such as the stage of construction, type of construction work and practices on site. Over 90% of non -energy minerals extracted in Great Britain are used to supply the construction industry with materials. Yet every year more than 70 million tones of construction and demolition waste has been produced in England and Wales

Results show that particular waste streams vary greatly between different construction phases and according to construction method used. However, the main causes of waste were identified as follows:

• Damage by mishandling, weather and inadequate storage
• Vandalism and rework
• Lack of recycling facilities within the studied region.
• Over ordering

More than 50% of the energy we use goes on constructing and maintaining buildings

Across the UK, there are over 700,000 empty homes for every homeless person in England, there are 7 empty homes.