business as usual with recycled plastics Gerry McGarry Commercial Director

Recycling is our business. We have 5 Environment Agency Accredited recycling sites, which recycled 72,000 tonnes of polyethylene last year, making bpi the largest recycler of polyethylene in Europe.

Over the past 5 years we have invested £16 million in new recycling technology. Targeted at: increasing our recycling capacity. reprocessing increasingly contaminated downgraded waste streams.

The Visqueen Building Products Recycled Range Damp Proof Membranes Damp Proof Course

We also produce a range of Plaswood products using recycled materials

award winning English Nature signage

selling recycled products We have been recycling for over 25 years. Gaining initial acceptance was very difficult. Lower cost was a key driver for growth. Product Accreditation and clear Industry Standards helped.

convincing specifiers:- in the past Recycled products viewed as a niche. Had to prove that product performance was as good as virgin alternatives. (product accreditation again!). In fact the recycled product was much better (and still is). Most of our products now contain a high proportion of recyclate.

convincing specifiers:- in the future. Gaining acceptance of recycled products should be easier because, demonstrating product sustainability is becoming increasingly important, driven by the growing mood for CSR & Reducing Impact on the Environment

a rising awareness of the need to change in the public sector Client: Newcastle City Council, Project: Byker Estate, Newcastle Brief: A new mixed tenure development on two brownfield developments that must be carbon neutral.

“Are you up to the challenge of building next to Ralph Erskine’s Byker Estate? We are going to develop high density family housing on two inner city brownfield sites in the Byker area in Newcastle ….... and it has to be sustainable, a carbon neutral development at the very least” Source: Newcastle City Council

a rising awareness of the need to change with housebuilders Housebuilders also recognise the need to address environmental issues Building Magazine 2003 Sustainability Awards Bellwinch Homes, Weymouth College, used 80% recycled materials Carrillion & Gusto also featured in the Building Sustainability Awards Look at what is said on their websites.

Persimmon 2003 CSR Report I am convinced that being a responsible company can provide win-win opportunities for Persimmon… John White Group Chief Executive

a rising awareness of the need to change in the supply chain Builders Merchants have had the Forest Stewardship Council Hardwood experience For example, Travis Perkins now source only 100% sustainable timber Even B&Q takes it seriously now!

“how green is your kitchen ” B&Q have developed 12 product eco design principles The top two factors for assessment are: Long term availability of raw materials. Raw material extraction. Source: Kingfisher 2003 CSR Report

for Visqueen, recycling is not enough Already ISO Accredited Sustainability issues are now a critical element of our product development. Products that use less material than competing alternatives. Membranes to assist in brownfield developments. Membranes for Urban Drainage Attenuation Schemes.

raising the recycling bar Undertaking a Product Development Programme to utilise new waste streams. Benefiting from the assistance of our project partners: BRE Certification product credibility. WRAP Project Support financial support

New Recycled Membranes Delivering two way benefits: Directly addressing the need to divert more waste away from landfill. Meets the growing Construction Industry demand for products with improved environmental credentials.

what next … for Visqueen Continued development of more recycled products to, address the growing demand, throughout the whole design, construct & supply process, for products that reduce environmental impact. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Business as Usual with Recycled Plastics Gerry McGarry Commercial Director