Switch to sustainable materials, protect our sand!
As the majority of the population has come to spend far more time at home than usual over the last year, it has become only natural that more investments have been made into our personal outdoor spaces to offer us a private retreat from our indoor lives.
And with spring arriving and better weather on the horizon, now is likely to be a popular time for many to continue investing, to have their ideal spaces ready for summer.
However, with more people beginning to return to a more normal regime with work, spare time at home can now be somewhat limited and for that reason, assistance with these exciting outdoor projects will be required by many.
Luckily, from landscape gardeners to building contractors, our local area has a wealth of knowledgeable tradespeople that can help you transform your outdoor spaces into something to be proud of!
What’s happening to our sand?
As the second most consumed natural resource on earth, sand is often heavily involved in a host of these outdoor projects and even though it may seem as though we have an endless supply, it is a finite resource which will run eventually run out (hard to believe right…).
It has recently been found that we are currently using around 50 billion tonnes of sand and aggregates each year, with the majority being extracted from riverbeds and beaches to help construct our towns and cities.
And as the global population continues to rise, the demand for various types of sand and aggregates has never been greater which could leave more coastlines around the world looking bearer…
Protecting our sand
As we’ve experienced with similar, finite raw materials in the past, the main way to combat this loss of natural resources is to place a high priority on recycling and using recycled materials, which along the years, has become even easier due to a whole host of new applications and innovations.
Not only is this process of recycling sand directly protecting our earth’s natural resources, but it is a much more environmentally friendly process than the excavation of sand which is mainly completed using large machines that emit tonnes of Carbon dioxide.
In our experience using CDEnviro’s waste treatment facility to produce our own range of recycled aggregates and washed sand, its water recirculation system is one of the many features that highlights the sustainability of these methods of production.
However, due to the lack of information that is readily available on sustainable materials and current perceptions, many are reluctant to leave behind their tried and tested methods and in doing so, are missing out on exciting opportunities for growth.
A common perception felt by those who own and manage SME’s is that this push for sustainability is only relevant for larger companies and that these perceived “added costs” will massively outweigh the potential benefits.
But, with materials like recycled sand becoming easier and easier to access and produce, there is likely to be almost no increase in cost and in some cases, it can even work out cheaper.
Another potential barrier preventing SME’s taking the leap into using more sustainable materials is the anticipated quality of the recycled materials, with many being skeptical of their origins.
Although, when you take into consideration that these recycled materials will have usually been processed and washed in an approved facility as opposed to directly excavated from common land, the actual process of producing these materials can in fact be likened to factory conditions, where the quality is consistent.
Also, as a large proportion of these materials are produced through similar wash plants to ours, any potential risk of contamination or high salt contents are eliminated!
But what is switching to these materials going to do for my business you may ask? From new opportunities to more committed employees, we take a quick look at a few below.
Improving your companies’ image and gaining competitive advantage
By choosing to use sustainable materials whilst delivering your services, not only will your company be committing to reducing its carbon footprint, but you will also be setting yourself apart from the competition by being proactive and delivering successful, sustainable projects.
Where other companies choose to continue needlessly using our natural resources, your company will be recognised for prioritising a more sustainable approach to business, giving you that competitive edge.
Staying ahead of future regulations
As the discussions regarding the climate emergency continue to create headlines around the world, national governments are enforcing more and more regulations to help protect our environment.
If potentially, regulation was imposed to reduce the amount of virgin materials we are consuming (and it’s extremely possible), your business will already be one step ahead and can relax while competitors exhaust hours of their time looking for a solution.
New Opportunities
Everyone has different wants and needs, especially when it comes to large landscaping or construction projects.
Cost, date of completion and case studies from previous work are all vital elements that can decide whether a potential customer chooses your business but nowadays, we’re seeing even more contracts and jobs being won and lost based on CSR credentials.
It has been found that customers are 58% more likely to choose your company when you’re known to care for the environment and the community and incorporating more sustainable practice into your business model could help generate a whole host of new opportunities!
Employee retention and onboarding
In past studies that explore the motivations of workers in the UK, there has been sufficient evidence to suggest that being a socially responsible and sustainable company will have added benefits to your workforce.
Firstly, it has been found that 42% of workers in the UK actively want to work for companies who are committed to playing a positive impact on the world, giving your employees added motivation to succeed within your company.
The study also found that around 36% of employees said they would work harder if they could see that their employers were benefitting society with their work, meaning greater productivity and an overall better working environment.
Taking the first steps towards sustainability
As is the case with almost every business, there are many ways in which we can reduce our effects on the environment. In taking this first step to doing so by purchasing environmentally friendly materials, you will be committing to a more sustainable practice that can future proof your business.
We recognise that for many that taking these first steps towards positive change can be challenging, but here at UBU, our team are committed to ensuring that this transition can be as smooth as possible, by offering various product samples and dedicated time slots for the delivery or collection of your recycled products.
Our range of construction materials can all be found through our website and are suitable for a range of landscaping and building projects, such as block paving, mixing for floor screeds and many more.
Therefore, to join us in putting sustainability at the heart of your business for now and for the future, head over to our materials section of our website to find out more!
