By Phil Sutton, founder, Duraproducts
THIS year’s European Week for Waste Reduction (EWRR) takes place from 16-24 November and its campaign theme is ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, with the aim of encouraging all Europeans to carry out awareness-raising actions regarding sustainable resource and waste management.
The challenges posed by waste accumulation and resource depletion are immense, affecting ecosystems, human health and the global economy. For the construction industry, we truly believe that effective waste management is not just an operational necessity, it is a fundamental responsibility. By adopting innovative practices and fostering a culture of sustainability, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint.
Sustainable resource management involves a holistic approach to the lifecycle of materials, from sourcing and production to consumption and disposal. It is imperative that businesses, communities, and individuals collaborate to implement strategies that prioritise recycling, repurposing and reducing waste. By prioritising sustainable resources and waste management, we can protect our planet and secure a sustainable future.
Our products, designed with durability, recyclability and minimal environmental impact, exemplify this commitment. We were one of the very first companies to develop a more sustainable alternative to concrete kerbing for the construction industry. We pioneered the use of recycled polymers in our manufacturing processes some 20 years ago and haven’t looked back since.
In choosing products with high recycled content, it is possible to immediately eradicate significant risks that waste can present to the natural environment. This can also create a sustained demand for recycled material that drives innovation so we not only recycle more in terms of volume but also in terms of variety too, repurposing material that would once have been considered unusable. For each and every product we make, we take waste and the historical risk that it represents away from the natural environment.
As a company, we are dedicated to leading by example, continuously striving to improve our sustainability initiatives and contribute to a circular economy. Let us all take this opportunity to reflect on our consumption habits and commit to a more sustainable future. Together, we can raise awareness, share best practices and inspire actionable change in our consumption patterns.
