Government Research

There are a number of governmental departments that have an interest in sustainability and resource management in the construction industry. There are a number of ongoing initiatives and programmes in place to research these issues with the long-term target being to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the industry. These are outlined in this section.

National Construction Waste Benchmarking Programme

This DEFRA funded project will measure construction waste in a consistent and systematic way from a range of construction, refurbishment and demolition projects across the UK so that national benchmarks and standards can be formulated. The data collected will enable the industry to understand the causes of waste and to predict waste arising from new build, demolition and refurbishment sectors. Knowing the typical composition and quantity of waste being generated across these sectors will be a powerful tool for setting targets for reduction and planning for reprocessing/recovery facilities. The project will work with companies using minimum reporting requirements to generate data and then use this to provide reliable and accurate key performance indicators and benchmarks.

Towards Zero Emission Refurbishment

Refurbishment of buildings has massive potential to reduce energy, water and materials consumption, CO₂ emissions and provide markets for reclaimed and recycled materials. This project will gather together the existing evidence relating to reduced emission refurbishment and build on it through extensive stakeholder dialogue and seminars and likely trends in the construction/refurbishment marketplace. An integrated R&D approach to reduced emission refurbishment will be developed. Building on the work relating to reduced carbon refurbishment, this will include reducing life cycle impacts and resource use, from the production and supply of products/materials, occupation, and the end-of-life/closing the loop phase. It will primarily address housing as an immediate and high priority policy area, where millions of properties are guaranteed to be refurbished or demolished over the next 10 years.

For updates on this programme, and contact information see http://www.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=825

BE AWARE - Built Environment Action on Waste Awareness and Resource Efficiency

BRE are leading this DTI funded project, which has an industrial consortium of 16 project partners driving the project. The project aims to reduce waste and resource use across the whole life cycle of any given construction product. The objectives include researching the viability of modifying product design, manufacture, packaging/distribution, application, maintenance and end of life management to maximise resource efficiency. This integrated approach to considering the whole life cycle of construction products will be enhanced by conducting pan-industrial waste exchange analysis, characterisation, testing and evaluation providing opportunities for knowledge transfer. The project will model scenarios for improving resource use throughout the whole life cycle by re-engineering processes. Companies are encouraged to volunteer their products to become the focus for resource use improvements.

The latest information and updates are printed in a quarterly newsletter which can be accessed at http://www.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=756

Recycled Building Products Network

Recycled Building Products are construction products that include recycled or secondary material in the manufacturing feedstock.

The Recycled Building Product Network has been set up to encourage greater use of recycled material in construction product manufacture and stimulate demand and innovation within the recycled building products sector by bringing together local authorities, manufacturers, market developers and reprocessors.

Emphasis is being placed on innovation within SME's by providing information on how to get potential products or technologies from the R&D phase, to market. The Innovation Den, created by BRE, provides this expertise.

Membership is currently free. Register at http://www.recycledbuildingproducts.co.uk/.

WRAP's Aggregain (Formally Aggregates Information Service)

Formed out of the Aggregates Information Service (AIS), and funded through the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, the AggRegain service has been established by WRAP to provide a 'one-stop' source of practical information on the use of recycled and secondary aggregates. It is a free service, designed to assist anyone interested in specifying, purchasing or supplying these types of products.

The information on the AggRegain site has been compiled from many different sources. By clicking on one of the quick links at the site you will gain access to:

Detailed case studies illustrating the use of recycled and secondary aggregates in a range of construction projects, including housing developments, commercial buildings and infrastructure projects.
Technical notes to assist in the specification of recycled and secondary aggregates.
A comprehensive directory of over 250 suppliers of recycled and secondary aggregate products at 350 locations throughout England.
Details outlining the recycling infrastructure and market. This section provides information on the processes and equipment required in the recycling process and also includes a list of equipment suppliers.

Visitors to the AggRegain website wishing to view the original AIS digests can access these by entering 'digests' in the search box. However these digests are not being updated and users should refer to the main website for the most up to date information.

The Aggregain service can be accessed at http://www.aggregain.org.uk/

Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP)

The Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP) was created in 2003 to support the UK construction industry in its drive, inspired by the Egan report 'Rethinking Construction', to improve its financial performance, provide a better product and service to its customers, and cope with a skills shortage. CLIP operates across the whole construction supply chain, from raw materials processors to clients. It provides the knowledge and practical skills needed to make change happen and to bring about real business benefit. The main focus is process improvement. There is no specific focus on waste minimisation and recycling.

More information on this programme can be accessed through the BRE website at http://www.bre.co.uk/clip