It is often said concrete is the second most used resource on earth after water. We don’t know if that’s true or not, but we do know that New Zealand will produce almost 10 million tonnes of it this year. We also know that about 300,000 tonnes of that concrete will end up in a landfill. That’s enough concrete to build seven Sky Towers.
We believed there could be a new approach which stopped concrete going to landfill, help save the environment, and create new employment opportunities. So in 2014 we went to some ready mix concrete companies we had been working with and suggested we start a product stewardship scheme which would aim to divert all surplus concrete and turn it into precast concrete products.
Sure enough these companies agreed that it made sense. So in 2015 the Envirocon Product Stewardship Scheme was Accredited by the Minister for the Environment under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. In becoming an accredited scheme we’ve committed to expanding our footprint nationwide and growing to divert 80,000t per year by 2022. To do this, we’ve invented some world first technology which allows us to turn the concrete off, aggregate it, and rebatch it into high quality precast concrete products.
The Envirocon story is much more than just saving concrete from landfill. It’s about innovative precast products which are reshaping traditional industries due to their unique combination of speed of build, flexibility, and durability.
"THE TIME OF MINDLESS DUMPING IN LANDFILLS IS PASSED.
WE HAVE TO THINK AND ACT DIFFERENTLY."
Interbloc is a modular wall system. At the heart of the system is a 1000kg block. The unique design of the block means you can build more wall, faster. At 600mm thick the wall is incredibly durable. What sets Interbloc apart is its flexibility – while acting like a permanent structure, it can be easily dismantled, moved, and reassembled.
Stonebloc is a retaining wallsystem. The core block weighs 300kg and, like Interbloc, has a unique interlocking design. This provides unparalleled speed of construction. The block design also provides a unique flexibility in design – from its a simple gravity wall or a more complex cantilever wall, Stonebloc is a fast durable option.
Sustainability isn’t just a fad to us. It’s about adapting business practices to reflect the reality of our world. Resources are expensive and precious, so wasting them is pointless. Innovative product design can allow our customers to be more efficient, and reduce waste in their businesses. We partner with Serco to provide prisoners in South Auckland a job on release with the aim of reducing reoffending. Envirocon is much more than concrete – it’s a new approach to business.
One of the most important aspects of Practical Sustainability is to make the process simple
Product Stewardship is the concept of manufacturers taking responsibility for their products through to end of life.
In a world of increasing populations and finite resources, sustainability is crucial for continued growth and the benefits it brings for humanity.
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