We must make single-use plastic a thing of the past, says NFB
June 28, 2019
Plastic waste remains a chief concern for our planet’s health and, while attempts to reduce its use have intensified, greater efforts must be made to ensure that we reduce our dependence on single-use plastic.
In construction, the reliance on single-use plastic has been drastically declining. Pipes and drains are made out of recyclable plastics, while many insulation materials contain recycled materials and single-use packaging only makes up a third of waste.
However, as an industry, construction is the second largest consumer of plastic behind retail. A proposed change in the law banning some single-use plastics will see a dramatic drop in their use, but the Government must see its role as stimulating investment and opportunity in material sciences and embracing new ways of recycling plastic.
The construction industry is once again at the forefront of this challenge, with an increasing number of projects using ‘single use’ plastic for insulation, new roads and even bricks.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “From recycled-plastic roads and homes made out of recyclable materials to waste sorting and on-site recycling, the construction industry is a key player in solving the challenges plastic poses to society and the environment.
“We now need the Government to think more deeply about how, together, we can find solutions and embed them through best practice and innovative approaches.”
You May Also Enjoy
Bank of England Money and Credit Report – March 2025
These monthly statistics on the amount of, and interest rates on, borrowing and deposits by households and businesses are used by the Bank’s policy committees to understand economic trends and developments in the UK banking system. Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased sharply by £9.7 billion to £13.0 billion in March,…
Read More 
Selling fast! Spruce up your home ahead of double Bank Holiday viewing rush
Average property takes 145 days to go under offer, but some get snapped up in as few as 13 days Property expert shares top tips to get your property sell-ready in hours ahead of May Bank Holiday showings Spring is house-moving time for many Brits and the double Bank Holidays in May are peak time…
Read More 
What Manchester Homebuyers Should Know, According to Conveyancers
Buying a home in Manchester can be one of the most exciting and significant decisions in your life—but it’s also one of the most complex. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving up the property ladder, navigating the legal and administrative side of a home purchase can be daunting. That’s where conveyancers come in. These…
Read More 
Housing sector ranks second for customer complaints
New research from Ventrica has revealed the revenue benefits for brands that invest in providing emotive customer experiences (CX) that consumers want. The company surveyed over 2,000 UK consumers and found that over the last 12 months, only 4 per cent of positive experiences were delivered by AI and only 18 per cent were a…
Read More 
Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker – 30/04/25
Rightmove’s mortgage expert Matt Smith says: “Average rates have continued to slowly come down over the last week, while the cheapest available fixed mortgage rate is a 2-year fixed rate at 3.79% for those with the largest deposits. I think lenders are now biding their time until the 8th May Bank Rate decision, and will…
Read More 
Latest HMRC UK Property Transactions Report
Headline statistics from the latest transactions data include: The provisional seasonally adjusted estimate of the number of UK residential transactions in March 2025 is 177,370, 104% higher than March 2024 and 62% higher than February 2025 The provisional non-seasonally adjusted estimate of the number of UK residential transactions in March 2025 is 164,650, 89% higher…
Read More