CPD
LASTING POWER With COP26 taking place this November all eyes are on sustainability in the built environment. For ironmongerers this means being increasingly asked about product lifecycle. Karen Trigg reports
I
n recent times, the quest for environmental sustainability has become more widespread. A 2019 survey found that 47% of internet users worldwide had stopped consuming products and services that opposed their personal values – protecting the environment topped the list as a reason for switching that product or service. With the expectations on corporate responsibility also growing, it’s clear that meeting environmental obligations - whether as an individual or organisation - is growing in importance. 26
For ironmongery, this is no different. Building environments account for around 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint, and the products used within are contributing to this total. With this in mind, it’s critical for those in ironmongery to understand their impact on the planet and consider changes that meet environmental conventions and key sustainability principles. Environmental impact The construction industry, in general, produces a staggering amount of waste. According to the 2018 edition of
Ironmongery is part of construction’s carbon footprint
UK statistics on Waste, in 2014, the UK generated a total of 202.8 million tons of waste, with construction, demolition and excavation responsible for 59% of that, totalling 119.6 million tonnes. What’s more, the construction industry also accounts for 55% of material consumption in the UK. Conceivably, ironmongery is a vital part of the fabric of a building. With architectural ironmongery constructed of iron, steel, aluminium and timber, this subset of the construction industry would also have an impact on the environment and contribute to these statistics. To combat this, as cited in the ‘GAI Specifiers Guide to Ironmongery and the Impact of the Environment’, decision makers can look to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ in a bid to improve their sustainability efforts. Much of this is being done by eliminating product
ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL
26_27.AIJAut21.cpd.productlife.inddNR.indd 26
15/09/2021 14:09
