The report shows the CFA in a leadership role in the contract flooring industry, not only providing practical information on the key issues that affect contractors on a daily basis, but also driving the sustainability debate forward and helping to ensure that the sector meets its environmental responsibilities.
Aiming to establish a benchmark for the environmental and sustainability position of the contract flooring supply chain, the report sets out the achievements of the industry so far and highlights the challenges and priorities for improving the sector’s performance in the future. Building on previous work, it tackles the issues in the form of a scoping study. Sustainability continues to rise further up the policy agenda and a sustainable economy now underpins the Government’s strategy for recovery of the construction sector post-Covid.
Some of the key areas which affect contractors and where they can make a contribution include:
- Separation and uplift of materials on site for re-use – ideal as it keeps products circulating within the flooring sector – or for recycling, which is the second best solution;
- Achieving this means being aware of re-use and recycling schemes, seeking partners to assist with this and overcoming the challenges in segregating and collecting multiple waste streams from a site;
- Understanding the whole flooring eco-system and how manufacturing with re-use and recycling in mind has to be an integral part. Specification of products to meet the requirements of designers, clients and main contractors, but which are also environmentally sensitive and offer the possibility of reuse and recycling is a major challenge. However, this needs to be tackled, as sending large amounts of waste to landfill is no longer an option.
- Achieving progress in these areas will require companies to invest in new skills and training for their workforces at all levels, although there may be a business opportunity and an income stream attached to a company attaining sellable skills.
- We all need to be aware that there is the possibility of increasing legislation around the waste issue. The CFA message is that heavy handed regulation should not be required if we get our house in order first.
- There is also a commercial opportunity, as designers, specifiers, main contractors, and clients of all sizes are increasingly seeking partners who offer a sustainable solution and improve their carbon footprint towards Government Net Zero carbon goals.
The CFA offers its members the tools to enable their businesses to keep ahead of these challenges and realise these commercial opportunities. The Zero Avoidable Waste report and the annual CFA Sustainability Guide are your main reference to keeping abreast of the sustainability debate – and CFA members are the first to learn about the latest developments, via our exclusive members’ news resources.