The Sustainability of Using Plastics in Construction

Sustainability is a theme that is running through almost every industry and the construction industry is no different.  

It’s for this reason that the use of plastics in construction has seen a massive growth in recent years.  

Why is plastic more sustainable? 

For a material to be considered sustainable, it needs to reduce its impact on an environmental, economic and social level. Plastic is able to do this for the construction industry.  

Traditional materials, such as glass and steel, tend to have an expected lifespan of around 30 to 50 years before attention is required. This could be repairs or replacement. Plastics are now being created to be as strong as these materials and even more durable.  

For example, PVC pipes which were laid 60 years prior have proven to still be going strong, without need for maintenance or replacement. Not only does this make plastic a much better return on investment, it also reduces the amount of new products manufacturers need to process.  

Plastic is an extremely versatile material which makes it perfect for the construction industry. In fact, there are very few areas where plastic isn’t used in construction.  

Some common uses of plastic include: 

• PVC windows 
• Plastic foam insulation 
• Water pipes 
• Seals and gaskets 
• Cabling 
• Exterior cladding 

What are the benefits? 

By using plastic materials, and making construction more sustainable, modern building are becoming much more energy efficient, longer lasting and boast a far lower lifetime cost.  

Additionally, the reliability and durability of some of these plastics mean that by using them, construction firms are able considerably reduce their risk of failure whilst improving overall performance. Not only does this make them a good investment, it also reduces the environmental impact of construction into the future.  

One of the struggles the construction industry has faced when discussing sustainability, is the one-use nature of traditional materials. By implementing the use of plastic as an alternative, they are able to alleviate some of this and follow the reuse/recycle/recover principle.  

Half of the plastic used in construction, across the EU, is currently diverted away from landfill and instead sent to energy or recycling plants. While there are still improvements to be made, this is already having a big impact on the effects of construction plastic on the environment.  

If you would like to know more about how Rayda can help your company be more sustainable in your plastic use, contact the team today.