|
Some UK statistics:-
- The construction industry in the UK is responsible for nearly a third of all industry related pollution accidents.
- Demolition and construction are responsible for creating 21% of all the hazardous waste produced in the UK each year.
- Demolition and construction waste represents 19% of total UK waste production per annum, or, approximately 100 million tonnes of a total of 526 million tonnes per annum.
- Approximately 70 million tonnes p.a. is recycled as low grade construction products, with 30 million tonnes going to landfill each year.
- In April 2007 the Landfill Tax will rise to an average of 24 per tonne, so 30 million tonnes will generate circa 720 million in tax for The Chancellor each year.
- The actual cost of taking a tonne of waste to landfill in April 2007, inclusive of tax, will be circa 39 per tonne, so 30 million tonnes will cost the construction industry 1.17 billion each year.
- Over 80% of all construction materials use natural resources.
- The construction industry in the UK uses over 420 million tonnes of natural resources each year.
- About 10% of the annual national energy consumption, which is equivalent to about 214 million tonnes of oil (or 346 million tonnes of coal), is used in the production and transport of construction products and materials.
- The energy used in constructing, occupying and operating buildings, represents approximately 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK each year, which is equivalent to approximately 330 million tonnes of CO2.
- Approximately 13 million tonnes of demolition and construction waste is material delivered to sites each year, but never used.
- The construction industry produces 3 times the amount of waste produced by all UK households each year.
There is, clearly, plenty of scope for improvement on all fronts!
|
