The DTI is funding a project aimed at making construction product producers more environmentally friendly. The project, launched this week, aims to help construction manufacturers make more efficient use of materials and processes.

It will look at the design, manufacture, installation, use and disposal of products. The 30-month research programme will be led by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and will involve a consortium of industry partners led by the Construction Products Association. BRE said the industry could make savings of up to 25% through the research.

The initiative is called Be Aware, standing for built environment - action on waste awareness and resource efficiency.

It will look at 40 construction products and work out how each one could be made more efficient, for example by reducing the waste resulting from the product.

According to the CPA, construction accounts for 150m tonnes of waste in the

UK, of which 40% is from the manufacturing process. Additional waste arises further down the supply chain from packaging and end of life waste.

To get involved contact Amanda Conroy at BRE: 01923 664471 or conroya@bre.co.uk

Source

QS News