The construction industry in the UK accounts for almost 47% of the UKs total CO2 emissions, with 50% of whole life carbon emissions in buildings coming from embodied carbon. In this post we will talk about the impacts of timber and the sustainable alternatives to Timber Hoarding.
What is Embodied Carbon?
Embodied carbon is any carbon emitted from the manufacturing process not operational processes, this is the carbon emitted from the building being used.
Timber is often seen as being a more sustainable option because it is a naturally grown product however there are more sustainable options that offer a closed loop solution.
What is the impact of Timber?
- 82% of the UKs timber is imported
- 20% of imported timber in the UK comes from a forest with an associated environmental risk
- 10% of timber is recycled each year the rest ends up in Landfill
The UK imports 41% of its timber from China, this alone creates higher rates of emissions however China only has 2 areas that produce small amounts of hardwood and they are the worlds largest importer of timber. So where is the timber really coming from?
What about FSC Certified wood?
FSC covers crucial factors such as forest health, biodiversity, water quality, and Indigenous and workers’ rights. These certifications do not require forestry companies to track how different management practices impact the carbon stock of a forest. This makes it difficult to decipher which suppliers supply the most sustainable, low-carbon product.
Timber Hoarding
After the initial cost for timber hoarding there is also the added cost of on-going maintenance and repairs to consider. This quickly becomes more expensive than other Hoarding Solutions. Timber Hoarding can be easily damaged meaning that it will need replacing more frequently increasing the projects cost and carbon footprint.
The majority of timber is unable to be re-used due to deterioration. This is then sent to landfill at the end of the project. Hoarding is usually treated meaning this is deemed hazardous. Every tonne that rots produces the same amount of harmful methane as 600kg of Co2.
Back in 2017 Fast Fence were part of a project to replace Timber Hoarding for Kier. The Timber Hoarding had delaminated and was becoming weak.
Sustainable Hoarding Replacements
Although we can’t change the construction industry as a whole we can do our bit by offering an alternative to Timber Hoarding. We offer two options for sustainable hoarding.
Take a look at the differences below
GreenSteel
- Closed Loop recycled solution
- Painted to corporate colours
- 100% recyclable at end of life
- Zero waste to landfill
- Reduces carbon footprint of your project
- Increased BREEAM scoring as the whole system is reusable and recyclable
- Increased considerate constructors score by using materials that are fully reusable, sustainable and recyclable
GreenHoard
- Quick and easy to erect and dismantle -saving labour costs
- Manufactured from recycled plastic
- Engineered to British Standard
- Maintenance Free
- Closed Loop recycled solution
- 100% Recyclable at end of Life
- Zero waste to landfill
- Reduces carbon footprint of your project
- Increased BREEAM scoring as the whole system is reusable and recyclable
Timber
- Produced from cutting down trees
- Often imported into the UK
- Slow to erect & dismantle
- Painted onsite – Time consuming and weather dependant
- Easily damaged – Further costs for repairs
- Will delaminate over time
- Sent to landfill at end of project
- High disposal & maintenance costs
- Expensive to purchase on a job by job basis
If you would like to find out more about our Sustainable alternatives to Timber Hoarding please feel free to contact us.