Sense and sustainability: Save money and save the environment

Today, more than ever, we’re aware the impact our day-to-day lives have on the environment. We know that many modern conveniences cause harmful pollutants and most of us try to reduce our carbon footprint where possible. We’re encouraged by councils, education establishments and TV personalities to reduce, reuse and recycle.

So, if domestic activities such as heating our homes or cooking a curry add to greenhouse gas emissions, it shouldn’t come as a major surprise to hear that the construction industry is a significant source of pollution.

In order to tackle this issue, the Government has set the UK construction industry a tough target: by 2025 it is challenged to lower its emissions by 50%.

Sounds like a tall order doesn’t it.

This huge reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment aims to be achieved by the construction of more eco houses and the use of more innovative building materials. By using pioneering alternatives to commonly used supplies, or choosing to build with sustainable materials such as wood, which absorbs CO ₂ as it’s grown, toxic emissions will be reduced.

Why sustainable construction?

Whether halving construction industry emissions by 2025 is achievable or not, sustainability is rightly an issue to be addressed within building design and construction.

According to UK Green Building Council: ‘The construction and maintenance of buildings and other structures is responsible for around half of UK carbon dioxide emissions’

Many on-site activities add to this outpouring of emissions, from the operation of heavy-duty machinery and undertaking of demolition works to the burning of materials and the use of toxic building supplies. These all contribute to air pollution in the UK.

Cement is a particular culprit of this pollution and is accountable for half of all the construction industry’s CO ₂ production.

Construction sites also generate high levels of particulate matter caused by dust and diesel engines. These invisible particles of carbon are known as PM10, which pollute the local air and could also contribute to global warming.

Reducing your company’s emissions

Obviously, drastically reducing all of the emissions your company creates is not going to happen overnight. So, how else can you ensure your construction company is doing its bit for the environment?

Approximately three-quarters of human greenhouse gas emissions are caused by carbon dioxide — the burning of coal, gas and oil. Reducing how much CO ₂ is generated by company vehicles would therefore make a real difference in the continuous combat to reduce toxins in the air.

Bad driver behaviour wastes fuel

How a vehicle is driven has a direct impact on the amount of CO ₂ it creates; it can also cause premature wear and tear, meaning serviceable parts need to be changed more frequently. Unnecessary fuel is burnt when idling or speeding and harsh braking damages both tyres and brakes.

Making sure vehicles aren’t driven over a certain speed and that they are turned off whilst sitting in traffic will decrease your company’s environmental impact.

A fleet tracking system will help you to ensure your vehicles are being driven in the most environmentally friendly way possible, thanks to 24 hour GPS monitoring. The trackers, alongside the implementation of a vehicle environmental policy, will raise your drivers’ awareness of the ecological consequences of their behaviour on the road.

By installing tracker systems in your vehicles, you’ll be able to make sure that your drivers don’t waste fuel or employ bad driving habits that will cause excess wear and tear on parts — saving the environment and saving you money too.

If you’re interested in doing your bit for the planet, speak with one of our helpful team, on 0161 476 4050 to discuss how a Phantom tracking system can help to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and wasted fuel.