From reducing plastic packaging to recycling pallets, Phil Litchfield, Sustainability Manager at Brett Landscaping, says manufacturers need to pull out all the stops to help merchants meet sustainability targets.
Responsible manufacturers understand the importance of making everything we do as environmentally sustainable as possible, and are constantly working to reduce carbon emissions. We know that the merchant sector — led by the Builders Merchants Federation — has been working very hard to ‘build a sustainable Britain’ and this principle is fully supported by those manufacturing businesses which are putting policies in place to improve sustainability.
Manufacturers working in the construction sector are looking at several areas of improvement with a focus on decarbonisation, water efficiency and waste. They are looking at different opportunities to minimise the amount of materials used and to reuse or recycle.
At Brett Landscaping, we have looked at every aspect of our business and have committed to ensuring we have sustainable operations and a resilient supply chain — with further measures planned for 2023.
Packaging waste
Brett is reducing packaging and waste while working on further improvements in the efficiency of manufacturing and transport processes. We are working to eliminate plastic wrapping wherever possible as well as working with the industry to utilise materials with high recycled content.
The plastic strap used across all our manufactured products, for example, is 100% recycled and we were pleased to announce in June 2022 that our 50mm Omega block paving packs have started to be distributed without the plastic wrapping. Instead, they will feature just the plastic straps.
Reusing water and pallets
At our Kent processing plant, Brett has both water abstraction and recycling facilities. There are three weirs and a ‘silt-buster’ which means that the volume of water coming from the regional water supply is drastically reduced. We are also harvesting rainwater at our Poole site in Dorset to reach a stage where none of the water used in manufacturing is taken from the local supply.
However, no manufacturers should be resting on their laurels and Brett certainly won’t be doing that. Our plans include further carbon reduction and reducing pollution from our manufacturing and logistics operations. We will also be increasing the use of renewable energy at all of our sites.
“Increasing sustainability does not mean that there has to be any sacrifice of quality however. Indeed, improved efficiency can go hand-in-hand with the creation of premium products.”
It’s not just water Brett is looking to save — it’s also wood. We are working with an organisation which helps suppliers to recycle wooden pallets. Its scheme operates nationwide and enables manufacturers to reuse pallets, rather than allow them to be disposed of by end-users.
Brett also plans to work collaboratively with local partners to increase biodiversity and to work more closely with suppliers to ensure that they demonstrate the same commitment to sustainability.
Maintaining high quality
Increasing sustainability does not mean that there has to be any sacrifice of quality however. Indeed, improved efficiency can go hand-in-hand with the creation of premium products.
One advance is a laser scanner that ensures consistency in manufacturing to avoid any variation and monitors for any defects in the face texture. There is also a facility for laser height management and a new, advanced colour batching system to ensure consistency throughout.
These and other advances in technology have allowed Brett to create products that wouldn’t have been possible previously. One of these technologically advanced ranges launched is Invicta and the range is the latest in a long line of product developments from Brett Landscaping, marking the beginning of a new generation of products that we are building capacity and capability for at our UK manufacturing centres.
Expansion of manufacturing
The product has been developed following a programme of significant investment and expansion of manufacturing capacity. This investment has allowed Brett to develop its manufacturing processes to be able to blend specially sourced aggregates to create new paving finishes which are unique to the company.
Through this new AggTech process, unique natural aggregates are used on the surface of each paving block to create a stunning durable finish. Accordingly, the Invicta range is available in four colours: Pearl, Moonstone, Onyx and Citrine. The colours are complementary so the different shades can be laid and arranged to meet a bespoke design brief, or to the preferred style and taste of the homeowner or client.
Included as part of the Invicta range are additional Invicta Flow paving blocks which are manufactured with a unique nib design for applications where permeable paving and a SuDS solution is a requirement.
While Brett continues to produce premium products in a sustainable manner we hope to also offer a premium service to all of our merchant partners and we look forward to helping merchants to build a sustainable Britain.
Click here for more information on Brett Landscaping’s range of products and support services for merchants.
