With sustainability in construction at the forefront of the company’s innovation, Vebro Polymers has formalised its approach to the removal of surplus packaging from its UK HQ in Trafford Park, Manchester, through the appointment of a dedicated packaging recycling partner who collect IBCs, barrels and other containers, before using specialist cleaning methods to ensure they are ready for reuse.
The scheme, implemented by Vebro’s Head of Operations in the UK, Lee Hardy, aims to contribute to sustainability in the construction industry through avoiding potential contamination caused by improper packaging disposal, embracing of circular economy principles, and reducing landfill waste.
Sustainability in the resin flooring industry
As environmental awareness grows, it’s crucial to examine the entire lifecycle of construction materials and their packaging. Their composition, use and potential reuse, and disposal to ensure every component plays a role in achieving sustainable and eco-friendly construction practices.
Not only does this mean continually innovating to identify areas for formulation improvement, but it also requires a focus on manufacturing materials that will stand the test of time – resin floor durability, resistance and suitability for overcoating are all key to its longevity and flexibility.
You might like this article: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle… Is the fourth R ‘Resin Flooring’?
Circular economy in construction
The circular economy, according to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), is all about reusing materials to help save our natural resources and cut down on waste. It’s an approach that aims to make our whole system healthier by reducing our dependence on limited resources for economic growth. This model suggests a fresh way of doing business, focusing on regenerating nature, lowering carbon emissions, and managing resources sustainably. In everyday life, this can be as simple as having refill stations for groceries or as impactful as keeping a building’s structure intact and using second-hand steel for construction.
But what does following the circular economy look like for professionals in the construction industry? There are myriad ways in which companies and individuals can adopt the approach, and Vebro is committed to contributing significantly to each of the key principles outlined by UKBGC.
Maximise reuse (including refurbish and repurpose)
The formalisation of Vebro’s packaging recycling process allows for the safe reuse of IBCs, across industries. The cleaning methods employed ensure they are safe for use even in food & beverage production and processing… from Vebro to vegetable oil!
Design buildings for optimisation, longevity & flexibility
Resin flooring technologies, especially robust types like epoxy high-build coatings, polyurethane self-levelers, PU concrete, and epoxy terrazzo, are known for their superior performance and durability. These materials resist chemicals and extreme temperatures, providing longer lifespans and often requiring less maintenance than other flooring options.
Take epoxy terrazzo like that installed in Sunderland’s City Hall, for instance: with proper cleaning and regular polishing using a high-solids metallized floor polish, it can last over 30 years, even in areas with heavy foot traffic.
Not only that, but the seamless nature of resin flooring also makes it ideally suited to multi-use venues, like The Social Hub, where the re-arrangement of furniture, or indeed its complete replacement, can totally transform the space.
Minimise impact and waste
With the majority of Vebro’s packaging recycled, the capacity for reuse avoids vast volumes being sent to landfill in the absence of such a scheme.
On top of that, Vebro Polymers’ packaging recycling approach ensures that IBCs, barrels and other containers are cleaned appropriately and thoroughly, to avoid potential water pollution from trace waste materials.
Mark Verinder, CFO & Co-founder of Vebro Group, said of the new scheme “Improving sustainability in construction, and in resin flooring more specifically, is the result of many small steps. Our packaging recycling scheme is one step in an ongoing journey.”
Improving sustainability in construction, and in resin flooring more specifically, is the result of many small steps. Our packaging recycling scheme is one step in an ongoing journey.
Mark Verinder
Vebro Polymers CFO & Co-founder
