Green credentials "SUSTAINABILITY MUST BE THE FOCUS IN THE YEARS TO COME" By Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin. In March, Origin launched the Homebuilder’s Insight Report, a whitepaper designed specifically to help those involved in the housebuilding process. The report offers those within the sector clear areas of focus, including how to adapt in order to survive the ever-changing market and how to keep up with consumer demands. To do this, we compiled the insights of five of the construction industry’s leading experts to showcase the challenges and opportunities facing the future of housebuilding. Our very own COO, Victoria Brocklesby, authored one of the expert articles, explaining how vital sustainability is to the future of the sector. In it, she explores that whilst sustainability has been on the agenda for years, it has never been a high enough priority for any significant changes to be made. Any progress that was being made may have stalled as a result of the events of the last few years. Brexit, the global pandemic, and a war have all had a part to play in the economic uncertainty being felt around the world, as well as the ongoing price increases and supply shortages. Despite these challenges, sustainability cannot be ignored. Customer priorities are evolving rapidly, with sustainability now playing a huge role in the buying process. As a result, housebuilders and their suppliers must make changes, or risk being left behind. This isn’t just the case for consumers either. Commercial organisations are already making drastic changes as part of their CSR programmes, including with the offices they rent and the suppliers they work with. With updated building standards coming into force in the coming months, the importance of factoring in ‘green’ credentials will only rise. This will start with the Part L changes coming in June, before legislation requires all new homes to be carbon neutral ready by 2025. Above: Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin “Homeowners are no longer making choices on a product-vsproduct basis” Knowing where to start is the key. Materials are the most tangible part of housebuilding, making them a great starting point. Our Partners choose us because they know we use high-grade aluminium for our products. It has high-performance qualities, as well as a minute impact on the environment, especially compared to uPVC and timber alternatives. It’s not just about whether a product is recyclable at the end of its life though, but the entire manufacturing process. We do more than just consider our products’ recyclability. We also recycle the scrap metal we use throughout the manufacturing process, helping other industries to reduce their carbon footprint, while diverting our waste from landfill. Aluminium is extremely light compared to other materials, meaning emissions are kept to a minimum. Alongside materials, the entire supply chain should be considered. Our Partners are in a unique position where they can suggest their preferred systems to customers, whether that’s a homeowner or a developer. They are therefore able to reach their sustainability goals. Materials are a good start, but looking under the surface, real sustainability initiatives need to be the focus. Homeowners are no longer making choices on a product-vs-product basis. They are instead looking more broadly, considering suppliers’ environmental credentials, culture, and ethos. We have strict processes in place at Origin, ensuring we are as environmentally friendly as possible. The rigorous tender process we use assesses the sustainability and ethical credentials of new suppliers, giving us the evidence we need to choose the right one. This process includes considering how they are reducing energy consumption, resource intensity, and waste management strategies. As a result, we know that they are preventing pollution and improving waste minimisation, reuse, recovery, and recycling wherever possible. We also worked hard to achieve the ISO14001 environmental management accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to doing the right thing. Responsibility starts with how and where we source components and extends to where they end up. This is the case for everyone in our industry, including installers. This is just the beginning. The construction industry is far from fully sustainable but making changes can’t be delayed any further. Sustainability must be the focus in the years to come, so there has never been a better time to get started, before you’re left behind. Download the full Homebuilder’s Insight Report at https://origin-global.com/documents/ homebuilders-insight-report.pdf Contact Origin: 0808 168 5816 www.origin-global.com @Originbifolds 34 T I MAY <strong>2022</strong> PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
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