The Role of Aggregates in Sustainable Construction
The production, supply and application of all types of aggregates leads to:
- Environmental impacts - e.g. release of emissions and generation wastes
- Social impacts - e.g. truck traffic and potential nuisance to neighbours
- Economic impacts - e.g. through the consumption of water and energy.
Sustainable Construction involves, on a project by project basis:
- Assessing the potential environmental, social and financial impacts arising from the use of aggregates
- Seeking the optimal triple bottom line solution to the sourcing and application of aggregates.
A range of tools, guides and approaches are available which can assist in this process and have been included in this Sustainability Module.
In addition, life cycle assessments can assist in identifying and measuring environmental and social impacts in the use of aggregates.
The UK Government's Approach to Sustainable Construction
The UK Government launched its new strategy for sustainable development, Securing The Future, in conjunction with a Strategic Framework on 7 March, 2005.
Securing our Future - UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy
In the strategy the government describes its role in introducing the aggregates levy, with further consideration of its impacts and opportunities to be considered. The strategy also refers to sustainable construction and how business can help. The Strategic Supply Chain Group (SSSG) is driving sustainable production and consumption through strategic procurement and supply chain management. It will be developing tools and techniques to manage significant issues, including: CO2 strategies, fleet management, waste reduction through procurement, sustainable construction, innovative sustainable product design and benchmarking sustainable procurement.” All of these activities will influence the way in which aggregates are sourced and procured, with more sustainable practices increasingly required.
In addition, all government departments have been challenged to produce their own sustainable development strategies. DEFRA’S Sustainable Development Action Plan describes how it will be taking action on sustainable consumption & production, as well as protecting natural resources.
