It is estimated over two million single use plastic sealant cartridges are put into landfill every week. Scarlet McAleese-Banks, Marketing Director of Hilton Banks, explains why her company’s move away from single use plastics with HB42 Eco-Foil is a timely one.
Environmental issues are now dominating the news agenda, and the construction sector has not escaped scrutiny. It is reported that the levels of carbon dioxide emissions from the UK construction industry saw an overall increase from 8.9 million metric tons in 1990 to 13 million metric tons in 2017. Reportedly, this amounts to approximately 3% of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the UK for that year.
Behind this staggering figure there also lies a myriad of waste and pollution issues, which ultimately need to be tackled. Recent figures on plastic waste in the construction industry make for shocking reading. Some 23% of the total plastic consumed in the UK comes from our sector, with 20,000 tonnes of plastic being sent to landfill every year.
Furthermore, it is estimated that over 2 million single use plastic cartridges are put into landfill every week in the UK.
Plastics are finding their way into our seas and oceans, and of those plastics that are sent to landfill, some take over a thousand years to breakdown in the soil. There is little doubt that the construction sector and its product suppliers need to take action — and recent research also suggests the trade is in general agreement that change is necessary.
For example, Insulation Express found that 95% of construction professionals admit that the industry needs to reduce its plastic use and single use plastic packaging is certainly one area that should be acted on sooner rather than later.
As a result, Hilton Banks is listening to the trade and working to tackle the pressing environmental problem of disposing of the single use plastic cartridge. With the impact on the environment in mind, the company has launched the HB42 All-in-One Sealant and Adhesive in 400ml foils as the ‘Eco-Foil’ removes the environmental problem of disposing of the single use plastic cartridge normally associated with sealants and other similar products.
The 400ml foils produce 95% less waste than the single use tubes and users get 38% more sealant than in the 290ml plastic tube. Using the latest MS Polymer technology, the product seals, sticks and fills, is flexible up to 230%, can be over-painted and works in the wet. It is low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and bonds to almost anything as well as being food safe, fully curing in 24 hours.
The foils are very durable, and the guns are easy to use, remaining extremely clean throughout their use. They also will take a plastic sealant cartridge so can still be used with every type of sealant, if required.
Furthermore, at the end of their life, the waste left over from foils is tiny compared to the plastic tubes and the foils are also much easier to dispose of. There are therefore cost benefits to be had for your customers from moving away from single use plastics — for example, with HB42 Eco-Foils producing 95% less waste, the amount of skip space or waste disposal is greatly reduced.
Hilton Banks cares about the environment and although construction products have to be strong and durable, we are always looking at ways to reduce our impact on the environment. To demonstrate our commitment and to encourage sales of the new foils for every case of 12 foils purchased, for a limited time a foil sealant gun will be available for merchants to give away to their customers.
Hilton Banks has produced a video guide to its new HB42 Eco-Foils.
The new HB42 All-in-One Eco-Foils produce 95% less waste than the single-use tubes and you get 38% more sealant than in the 290ml plastic tube.
It is estimated that over 2,000,000 single use plastic cartridges are put into landfill every week in the UK, an unsustainable figure, especially when plastics can take up to 500 years to fully decompose.
