Single Use Plastics

Single-use plastics pose a significant threat to our environment and wildlife, but the impact goes beyond what we see directly. While specific data for the brick sector is unavailable, the UK construction industry generates an estimated 50,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste annually. This avoidable waste, as defined by the UK government, refers to plastics that could have been reused, recycled, composted, or biodegraded.

BDA members share a common objective, ‘to eliminate the use of single-use plastics in the UK brick sector, focusing on waste hierarchy principles, primarily through prevention.’ 

The waste hierarchy prioritises preventing waste in the first place, followed by reuse, recycling, and other recovery options. By prioritising prevention, BDA members are taking a proactive approach to minimising their environmental footprint.

The BDA is adopting the following strategic objectives defined in the UK Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy (2018):

• To work towards all plastic packaging placed on the market being recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025.
• To eliminate avoidable plastic waste by 2042.

While plastic packaging plays an important role in protecting bricks during transport and storage, transitioning to alternatives comes with challenges: finding sustainable materials with the same functionality, investing in research and development, and ensuring a smooth shift across the supply chain.

BDA members are actively tackling these challenges through:

• Ongoing trials to reduce plastic packaging: Manufacturers continue to trial new ways to reduce plastic packaging and find suitable alternatives. This involves ongoing monitoring and measurement of plastic packaging usage to track progress.
• Stakeholder Feedback: Qualitative research with key stakeholders to develop packaging solutions that meet their needs whilst minimising plastic.
• Best Practices: Guidance documents are being developed providing clear strategies on managing brick packs, reducing plastic waste, and meeting customer expectations.
• Shared Knowledge: BDA members actively share information and innovations across the sector, fostering a collaborative approach to achieving sustainability goals.