1. science
2. ecology
3. waste management
4. recycling

business as usual with
recycled plastics
Gerry McGarry
Commercial Director

Recycling is our business.

We have 5 Environment Agency
Accredited recycling sites,

which recycled 72,000 tonnes of
polyethylene last year,

making bpi the largest recycler of
polyethylene in Europe.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk

Over the past 5 years we have invested
£16 million in new recycling technology.

Targeted at:
 increasing our recycling capacity.
 reprocessing increasingly
contaminated downgraded waste
streams.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
The Visqueen Building
Products Recycled Range

Damp Proof Membranes

Damp Proof Course
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk

We also produce a
range of Plaswood
products using
recycled materials
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
award winning
English Nature signage
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
selling recycled products

We have been recycling for over 25 years.

Gaining initial acceptance was very
difficult.

Lower cost was a key driver for growth.

Product Accreditation and clear Industry
Standards helped.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
convincing specifiers:in the past

Recycled products viewed as a niche.

Had to prove that product performance
was as good as virgin alternatives.
(product accreditation again!).
In fact the recycled product was much
better (and still is).


Most of our products now contain a high
proportion of recyclate.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
convincing specifiers:in the future.

Gaining acceptance of recycled products
should be easier because,

demonstrating product sustainability is
becoming increasingly important,

driven by the growing mood for CSR &
Reducing Impact on the Environment
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
a rising awareness of the
need to change in the
public sector
 Client: Newcastle City Council,
 Project: Byker Estate, Newcastle
 Brief:
A new mixed tenure development on
two brownfield developments that must
be carbon neutral.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
“Are you up to the challenge
of building next to Ralph
Erskine’s Byker Estate?
We are going to develop high density
family housing
on two inner city brownfield sites in the
Byker area in Newcastle ….
... and it has to be sustainable, a carbon
neutral development at the very least”
Source: Newcastle City Council
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
a rising awareness of the
need to change with
housebuilders

Housebuilders also recognise the need to
address environmental issues
Building Magazine 2003 Sustainability Awards



Bellwinch Homes, Weymouth College,
used 80% recycled materials
Carrillion & Gusto also featured in the
Building Sustainability Awards
Look at what is said on their websites.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
Persimmon 2003 CSR
Report

I am convinced that being a
responsible company can provide
win-win opportunities for
Persimmon…

John White
Group Chief Executive
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
a rising awareness of the
need to change in the
supply chain

Builders Merchants have had the Forest
Stewardship Council Hardwood
experience
 For example, Travis Perkins now
source only 100% sustainable timber
 Even B&Q takes it seriously now!
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
“how green is your
kitchen”

B&Q have developed 12 product eco
design principles

The top two factors for assessment are:
 Long term availability of raw materials.
 Raw material extraction.
Source: Kingfisher 2003 CSR Report
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
for Visqueen,
recycling is not enough


Already ISO 14001 Accredited
Sustainability issues are now a critical
element of our product development.
 Products that use less material than
competing alternatives.
 Membranes to assist in brownfield
developments.
 Membranes for Urban Drainage
Attenuation Schemes.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
raising the recycling bar

Undertaking a Product Development
Programme to utilise new waste streams.

Benefiting from the assistance of our
project partners:

BRE Certification
 product credibility.

WRAP Project Support
 financial support
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
New Recycled Membranes

Delivering two way benefits:

Directly addressing the need to divert more
waste away from landfill.

Meets the growing Construction Industry
demand for products with improved
environmental credentials.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
what next … for Visqueen

Continued development of more recycled
products to,
 address the growing demand,
 throughout the whole design, construct
& supply process,
 for products that reduce environmental
impact.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk
Business as Usual with
Recycled Plastics
Gerry McGarry
Commercial Director