Roofing

Sustainability
Ensuring Product Sustainability and
Traceability
Simon Dayson, sales director – external envelope, SIG Design and Technology
In the modern business environment, traceability and sustainability are
becoming more important to customers than ever.
While the demand for good quality products at low costs is as strong as ever, a
key consideration for many purchasers is now where the materials have come
from, how they have got there, and the impact that this has had.
Organisations and suppliers are increasingly demonstrating a commitment to
contributing to the wellbeing of communities. On a fundamental level, this
means having a clean, safe and environmentally-friendly business, but in the
present competitive environment it is important to exceed the minimum
commitment criteria. This means going beyond national and specific
environmental and health regulations, such as regulations covering the industry
the business operates in – something that is particularly pertinent in
construction, where a wealth of parties are involved in the creation of materials
and products.
From incorporating assessments of health and environmental impacts in decision
making, to working with customers and suppliers to ensure products are
transported and processed in environmentally friendly ways, this traceability is
becoming integral to processes and ties in with having an open and frank
approach.
From a sustainability perspective, the whole product lifespan needs to be taken
into account, and although this can cover multiple areas and applications,
having this overarching oversight can help to make a key difference.
Transparent and Comparable
For some customers, this means an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) -
an independently verified and registered document that communicates
transparent and comparable information about the lifecycle and environmental
impact of products.
The construction industry as a whole is aware of the challenge associated with
developing sustainable construction methods, and yet the main raw material
used – steel - is eminently recyclable. It is estimated that around 90 per cent of
the steel from demolition goes on to be re-used, while 40 per cent of the steel
that is used in new construction has previously been recycled.
Through the use of modern machinery, upgrades and innovative techniques, the
onus is on the industry to boost these figures further still and reduce the impact
that products are having on the environment; as well as having an important
effect on the long-term performance of the buildings and their structural quality.
At a local level, there is also a need to recycle waste materials in a responsible
manner and be as environmentally friendly as possible in areas where it is
possible, but there remain challenges to adopting widespread sustainability.
The EPD is certainly one step, as it is based on the international ISO standard
and so adds a degree of certainty and authority to any declarations. By reporting
environmental data over the entire lifecycle of products in accordance with the
international standard ISO 14025, transparency is assured, and the fact that it is
international, third-party verified and delivers flexible-source information, means
ongoing monitoring is assured.
Central to the EPD is a life cycle assessment (LCA), which provides information
on the use of resources and energy, as well as various types of emissions. The
extent to which this transparency can permeate the
process is also affected by the manufacturer or supplier, as
EPDs can contain environmental information additional to
the LCA, including specific information about user- and
the end-of-life phases, helping to create a fuller
understanding
Tying into this is an industry-wide – and worldwide –
need to reduce the carbon footprint, not only of individual
organisations, but sectors as a whole. SIG plc, parent
company of Steadmans, has a commitment to reducing its
carbon footprint, including achieving the Carbon Trust
Standard of 2010, which is evidence of its environmentallyfriendly
carbon credentials and complements wider
ambitions to further enhance the company’s status as a
Low Carbon Business.
Ultimately, the extent to which organisations absorb
sustainability into their operations is dependent on the
industry they operate in and their wider approach, but
there is an increasing connection between a business’s
perception and the transparency of its processes, as well
as the traceability of its products.
Adopting this line of thinking has wider business benefits,
which range from creating a transparent supply chain, to
assuring potential affiliates and going beyond corporate
and social responsibility, to become a true pillar of
business with a demonstrable approach to product and
service sustainability.
For further information on Steadmans’ full range of
products call 02840 660 516 / 016974 78277, email
info@steadmans.co.uk or visit www.steadmans.co.uk.
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