UK Construction’s Plastic Waste Skyrockets 15 Times Faster Than EU!
In a startling revelation, new research has highlighted a dramatic surge in plastic waste generated by the UK construction industry. According to a recent analysis by the Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP), the UK’s construction sector has seen its plastic waste grow at an average rate 15 times greater than that of EU member states since 2004. This alarming trend underscores a significant environmental challenge that the UK must urgently address.
A Staggering Increase in Plastic Waste
The CuSP’s analysis of European Commission data reveals that from 2004 to 2018, the amount of plastic waste produced by the UK construction industry increased at an astonishing average rate of 210% every two years. This period marks the last year for which comprehensive data on construction waste was collected. In stark contrast, plastic waste across all UK industries grew by an average of just 4% every two years, making the construction sector’s rate nearly 50 times higher.
The Shift Towards Plastic: A Double-Edged Sword
Oliver Lawton, co-founder of CuSP and managing director of Lawton Tubes, commented on the findings, stating, The research stands as stark testimony to the shift we have witnessed anecdotally in recent years, with suppliers and manufacturers drawn toward cheap plastic materials that are not fit for purpose.
Lawton’s observations point to a troubling trend: despite claims by plastic manufacturers about the durability of their products, construction plastics often fail to perform as well as traditional materials. This leads to frequent breakages and failures, negating any immediate cost savings and contributing to the growing waste problem.
The Vicious Cycle of Production, Use and Waste
At the end of a building’s life cycle, the fate of plastic waste is grim. Most of it is not recycled but instead ends up in landfills, is exported abroad, or is incinerated. The low recycling rates necessitate the production of new plastic products, perpetuating a linear cycle of production, use, and waste.
The Recycling Conundrum
EU data shows that the recycling rate for post-consumer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – the most common type of plastic in construction – is a mere 3%. Plastic composites like multi-layer composite pipe (MLCP), which have gained popularity over the past two decades, are often not recycled at all due to the complexities involved in separating their different materials.
In contrast, traditional construction materials such as steel, copper, and aluminium boast recycling rates of at least 70%. This stark difference highlights the environmental advantages of using these materials over plastics.
The Call for Sustainable Alternatives
Andrew Surtees, co-founder of CuSP and head of sales at Mueller Europe, emphasised the need for a shift towards more sustainable materials. In the plumbing sector, we have seen newer products like MLCP – a type of composite pipe that physically cannot be recycled – pushed by manufacturers as a sustainable option for installers and homeowners when the opposite is true, he said.
Surtees pointed out that while many construction plastics are marketed as recyclable, the reality is that only traditional buildings with a long-standing history of recovery and recycling are likely to be made of recycled material and continue to be recycled at the end of their life cycle.
A Path Forward for the UK Construction Industry
With the UK construction industry lagging in its net-zero commitments, phasing out plastics in favour of fully recyclable materials with proven sustainability credentials presents one of the most significant opportunities for sustainable growth in the sector. The findings from CuSP’s research serve as a wake-up call for the industry to rethink its material choices and prioritise environmental sustainability.
