Build August PDF

Build Magazine 6 Resource recovery specialist, Axion Consulting has recently completed a project commissioned by Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA), to obtain data on waste volumes generated in the growing single ply roofing sector. Established in 1978, the (SPRA) is the industry’s UK trade association, and is focused on promoting single ply roofing systems as roofing of choice and ensuring the highest standards of products and application to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector. Its membership is made up of roofing contractors, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers and as such promotes employment and training opportunities and the export of its members’ products and services. SPRA provides help and guidance to all users and specifiers of single ply roofing systems in addition to co-operating with other trade bodies for the purpose of improving the UK roofing industry. The brief of this latest project recognised the need to understand trends in both new waste (from site and training programmes) and end-of-life waste removed from roofs during refurbishment and demolition. The proportion of the latter is expected to rise as the sector growth in the 1980’s and 1990’s reaches the end of its design life. Key determinants include regulatory incentives to overlay rather than remove the existing and logistics which are seen to be economically viable. The objective is to prepare the groundwork for a pilot waste recovery and reprocessing scheme. SPRA member manufacturers account for at least 70 per cent of the sector’s overall annual coverage. The report estimates that SPRA members generate approximately 250 tonnes of new high- quality polymeric membrane waste per annum and an as-yet unknown quantity of end-of-life waste. Axion Consulting Project Manager, Jane Gardner comments: “There was strong support for a recycling scheme amongst the twelve membrane manufacturers interviewed, with some citing main contractors’ Site Waste Management Plans as well as client policies as key drivers to account for the end use of waste. At this stage, we need greatly improved data on material types, their condition, and geographical distribution.” SPRA Technical Director Jim Hooker adds “Although SPRA membrane manufacturers are required to register all projects, our roofing contractors are key to a scheme’s viability. They must be confident that a waste recovery scheme will be cost- effective.” SPRA has agreed a range of actions to improve data collection and is now working with re-processors to develop viable options. Further research is planned. Contact: Louise Burke THRiVE STUDiOS T: 07917176095 W: www.thrivestudios.co.uk SPRA Commissions Waste Recovery Research