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The Newton Membrane Recycling Service is the first and only closed-loop recycling scheme in the UK waterproofing industry, run in collaboration between Newton and our Newton Specialist Basement Contractors in order to actively collect and recycle off-cuts of HDPE waterproofing membrane from across the UK, for reuse in the construction industry.
To provide this service, Newton has dedicated drivers who will pick up HDPE from the site or offices of our NSBC network for recycling back at our head office in Tonbridge, Kent. The recycled off-cuts are also collected at the same time as new construction membranes are being delivered, thus saving on dedicated pick ups and the associated carbon emissions.
Between 2017 and 2019 Newton has prevented 13.70 tonnes of HDPE membrane from going to landfill, and our aim is to recycle 20 tonnes of HDPE by the end of 2020.
To translate this into some slightly more quantifiable figures, 13.70 tonnes of recycled HDPE equates to:
- Preventing 15.74 tonnes of CO2e emissions from entering the atmosphere*
- Saving 61,544 Kilowatt Hours (kWh) of energy
- Energy which is worth a total of £8,843.82
- Which is enough energy to make over 2.18 million mugs of tea!
*Turner, D., Williams, I. and Kemp, S. (2015) Greenhouse gas emission factors for recycling of source-segregated waste materials Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 105, (Part A), pp. 186-197.
An Award-Winning Recycling Service
In recognition of its innovation and groundbreaking work in the waterproofing industry, the service has also been shortlisted and recognised in awards ceremonies across the construction, recycling and plastics industries, including:
- The Property Care Association Best Practice Awards – Sustainability – Winner
- Kent Excellence in Business Awards – Commitment to the Environment – Winner
- National Recycling Awards – Commercial Waste Reduction Initiative Award – Finalist
- Plastic Industry Awards – Best Environment or Energy Efficiency Programme of the Year – Finalist
- London Construction Awards – Product Innovation of the Year – Finalist
- Kent Environment Strategy – Kent Environment Champions Award – Winner
- The National Building Awards – Innovation of the Year – Winner
- Construction News Awards – Best Innovation – Finalist
- British and Irish Trading Alliance – Charles Darwin Award – Winner
- Association of Specialist Underpinning Contractors – Special Achievement Award – Winner
- London Construction Awards – Sustainable Construction Award – Finalist
As we move forward, Newton will continue its commitment to tackling the waste that is produced by the waterproofing and construction industries, by reducing our own plastic packaging waste across our product range, and continuing to invest in the expansion and growth of the Newton Recycling Service.
Innovation In The Waterproofing Market
As a company, we hold ISO 14001 certification and are always seeking to improve our environmental credentials, as well as all participants who are associated with us in the structural waterproofing industry. This bespoke service allows us to not only offer specifiers a quality waterproofing solution installed by a fully trained and competent professional, it also shows a real commitment to lowering all of our carbon footprints in the process.
Committed to Minimal Wastage
Newton and our NSBC network have a true commitment to all parties involved in the construction process.
This ensures our HDPE membrane systems will be installed in the most efficient manner with continuous focus on quality and minimal wastage. It is, however inevitable that some off-cuts will be produced. Specifiers and end clients should look for the NSBC Membrane Recycling Service logo on vehicles and literature as a mark of quality assurance that the HDPE membranes are being recycled and not sent to landfill.
