BeAware – Research project to reduce waste and improve efficiency

BeAware – Built Environment Action on Waste Awareness and Resource Efficiency
A consortium of construction products manufacturers participated in a TSB and industry funded project called BeAware – Built Environment Action on Waste Awareness and Resource Efficiency.  The project ran from November 2005 to July 2008.

The construction industry accounts for over 150 million tonnes of UK waste, of which 40% is from product manufacture[1]. More waste arises further down the supply chain from packaging and end of life waste.  BeAware is helping construction product manufacturers to make more efficient use of materials and processes.

BeAware examined 20 construction products to identify resource efficiency improvements.  A simplified environmental assessment was carried out  using life cycle assessment (LCA) data.  The supply chain for each product was also investigated for resource efficiency improvements that could be implemented.

The product assessment results and workshop outcomes have been used to produce a series of BeAware sector guidance reports that can be freely downloaded from the publications page.

The project was managed by BRE, chaired by Construction Products Association in partnership with: Agrifibre Technologies Ltd; Biffa Waste Services Ltd; British Plastics Federation; British Precast Concrete Federation; British Woodworking Federation; Charnwood Borough Council; Loughborough University; Modular & Portable Building Association; National Federation of Demolition Contractors; National House-Building Council; NetComposites Ltd; Packaging and Industrial Films Association; UK Forest Products Association; Wood Panel Industries Federation
BeWare sector supply chain resource efficiency reports available for download: (from the links on the right)
Supply chain resource efficiency for the following sectors:

  • modern methods of construction (MMC)
  • polymer
  • precast concrete
  • timber window.

Cross sector recycling opportunities summary report

In support of the summary report there are 3 short briefing documents which can also be downloaded:

  • Performance and Economic Waste Assessment (PEWA) Methodology
  • Applications of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Waste in Concrete Composites
  • Applications of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Waste Powder in Rubber Composites

Consortium partners can log in to the partners only area by clicking here.

[1] R A Smith, J R Kersey & P J Griffiths, 2003.  The construction Industry Mass Balance: Resource use, wastes and emissions

Downloads