New research reveals that the UK construction industry’s plastic waste production has skyrocketed, growing at a rate 15 times faster than its European counterparts.

The Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) conducted an analysis of European Commission data, uncovering alarming trends in the sector’s waste management practices.

Between 2004 and 2018, the UK construction industry’s plastic waste increased at an average rate of 210 per cent every two years.

This figure dwarfs the 14 per cent growth rate observed in EU member states during the same period.

The disparity becomes even more apparent when compared to the overall UK industry average of 4 per cent growth in plastic waste production.

The study highlights significant issues with recycling construction plastics:

• Post-consumer polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the most common plastic in construction, has a recycling rate of only 3 per cent across Europe.
• Multi-layer composite pipes (MLCP), increasingly popular in recent years, are often not recycled at all due to the difficulty in separating their components.
• In contrast, traditional construction materials like steel, copper, and aluminium boast recycling rates of at least 70 per cent.

Oliver Lawton, co-founder of CuSP, attributes this surge to a shift towards cheaper plastic materials that often underperform compared to traditional construction materials.

He notes that despite manufacturers’ claims about durability, these plastics frequently lead to breakages and failures, negating any initial cost savings.

The environmental impact is further exacerbated by the fact that most plastic waste from construction is not recycled but instead sent to landfills, exported abroad, or incinerated.

Andrew Surtees, another CuSP co-founder, emphasises the need for a shift towards more sustainable materials in the construction industry.

He points out that while many construction plastics are marketed as recyclable, in reality, only traditional buildings with a long history of recovery and recycling are likely to be made of recycled materials and continue to be recycled at the end of their lifecycle.

As the UK construction industry lags behind in its net-zero commitments, phasing out plastics in favour of fully recyclable materials with proven sustainability credentials presents a significant opportunity for sustainable growth in the sector.

This research serves as a wake-up call for the industry to reassess its material choices and prioritise environmental sustainability in its practices.