Construction has a problem with plastic. The sector is understood to be second only to the packaging industry as the UK’s biggest producer of plastic waste; through a combination of litter generated by staff and the discarded wrappings of building components, it generates an estimated 50,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste each year. This is a substantial chunk of the 3.7 million tonnes of plastic believed to be chucked away in the UK every year – into landfill, into the oceans and exported to countries like China. 

As shocking images of indestructible waste filling our oceans enter into the public consciousness, and the need to tackle the problem becomes an international talking point, construction businesses have become increasingly conscious of pressure to clean up their act. But the industry is also heavily dependent on plastic: durable and long-lasting, it’s still the go-to option when it comes to packaging and protection for many items. So can construction kick the plastic habit?

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