Landfill tax has more than trebled since 2008 and as a result, all organisations are looking to cut down on their onsite waste — not least those in the public sector. Here, Andy Cummins, Senior Product Manager at Geocel looks at how merchant managed services teams can help their public sector customers cut down on plastic waste with a simple sealant switch.
As we continue to see the destructive impact of widespread single use plastic consumption, there is a higher demand for sustainable products than ever before. As such, all markets and sectors are seeking more environmentally friendly alternatives to everyday products.
The construction industry consumes approximately 23% of all plastic produced in the UK, which amounts to an estimated 50,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste every year. Unfortunately, a large proportion of this plastic is single use, including approximately 100 million sealant cartridges that are sent to landfill each year. This is because the traces of sealant or adhesive within the cartridges mean that they cannot be recycled, despite potentially being made from recyclable plastic.
Sealant cartridges are also affected by landfill tax. Now costing £98.60 per tonne, it is more expensive than ever to dispose of sealant cartridges in landfill, particularly for public sector contractors that have stringent budgets.
“The construction industry consumes approximately 23% of all plastic produced in the UK, which amounts to an estimated 50,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste every year.”
There has been a growing fundamental sense of responsibility towards sustainable products, showcased by many organisations taking a far more considered approach to choosing the products they use on a daily basis. In addition, public sector organisations are also set a series of environmental targets, among them being the amount of plastic waste generated by their operations.
In this respect, merchant managed services teams are in an ideal position to offer support. Contracted to provide products to facilitate the construction, maintenance and repair of public sector buildings and social housing, these teams can supply sustainable alternatives directly to contractors to help cut down on a local authority’s overall plastic waste.
An essential product for most projects, sealants and adhesives are regularly used by local authority contractors during their day-to-day repair and maintenance visits. Due to the scale of their use, contractors would traditionally go through countless sealant cartridges that must then be sent to landfill.
However, the need for a greener alternative has led to the development of foils and reusable sleeves that can be used in conjunction with a standard sealant gun. It is incredibly easy for contractors to make the switch as once the foil has been placed in the sleeve, the process of applying the sealant is exactly the same.
With Geocel’s ecoSEAL system, for instance, the sleeve can be re-used up to 75 times, providing a huge improvement when compared to single-use plastic cartridges. Furthermore, when emptied, the foils are eight times smaller and approximately 60% lighter than traditional cartridges, allowing contractors to cut down on that crucial landfill tax.
The ecoSEAL system offers the leading sealant, DOWSIL 785+ in a foil, as well as other popular products such as DOWSIL 796, 799, Painters Mate and THE WORKS PRO, meaning contractors do not need to compromise in terms of results.
By recommending these more sustainable products, merchant managed services teams can help local authority contractors to cut down on their plastic waste and take steps towards their environmental targets. Not only this, but for merchants who stock and champion them, the environmental credentials of these products can help to secure sales and contribute to a greener construction sector.
Click the link for more information on Geocel’s range of products and support services for merchants.
Geocel continues Lighthouse Club partnership
Geocel has renewed its partnership with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity following a combination of fundraising activities and corporate donations that raised £13,390 for the charity last year. Known as the Lighthouse Club, the charity provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community and its families.
Through its confidential 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, supporting app and HARDHAT text service, the organisation offers information, advice and guidance on a wide range of wellbeing issues. It also delivers a variety of free construction focused training programmes to support the industry including hour long interactive wellbeing sessions and the MHFA England, Mental Health First Aider qualification.
As part of Geocel’s support, the Lighthouse Club’s helpline has been promoted on the company’s popular Mate range cartridges — relaunched last year with a brand-new design — to raise awareness of the charity’s services.
For more information on the Lighthouse Club and its services, click the link.
