Sustainability

Our Approach to Sustainability

Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration for asset owners, engineers, and construction companies.

However, it is also a term that means different things to different people. It often carries connotations of added cost or increased complexity. This is further complicated by political, regulatory, and social initiatives to drive change in an industry that is deeply rooted in tried and tested methodologies.

As a result, the market is littered with conflicting advice and systems for implementing sustainability. With engineers, and construction companies constantly challenged to deliver high-quality structures on budget, adding this extra layer of requirements can present real challenges.

Envirocon’s takes a circular economy approach to sustainability. Technical definitions aside, the concept of the circular economy is about using resources with ever more efficiency.

Envirocon products are an example of the epitome of the circular economy approach;

● We take high-quality excess concrete from the old, linear economy, and turn it into valuable precast concrete products through an Accredited Product Stewardship Scheme.
● We use great design to create products that deliver a unique combination of benefits for our customers;

Speed of install – delivering lower labour costs;
Durability grounded in traditional engineering principles – achieving safety and structural integrity outcomes;
Flexibility to modify the structure as the business evolves – maximising resource efficiency.

● At the end of a structure’s life, the product can be non-destructively dismantled and reused over and over again. In fact we’re so confident in our product we offer a unique buyback guarantee.

The result is a range of precast concrete construction products that delivers a unique combination of sustainable and cost-saving outcomes.

Why Sustainability Matters To You

Market demands and sustainability rating systems aside, there are two core forces driving sustainability in our industry which can not be ignored;

New Zealand’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030 embodied in the Zero Carbon Act, and;
The waste reduction targets outlined in the Government’s Waste Strategy.

Both require a real and substantial change from our industry.

For example, MBIE is currently consulting on changes to the Building Performance System to take into account whole of life embodied carbon during the consenting process, and the Government has regulated for an increase to the waste levy six fold by 2024.

How are you going to meet these requirements?

At Envirocon we believe smart ideas and great product design can deliver the solution without increasing cost or complexity for the sector.

We call it Practical Sustainability, and we’ve been doing it since 2004.

We Make Sustainability Easy

Sustainability is deeply embedded in our manufacturing process and product design.

We take high quality, certified, concrete which is excess to requirements and turn it into valuable precast concrete products. This process is part of the Product Stewardship Scheme Accredited by the Minister for the Environment under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. The result is that Envirocon products start life already more sustainable than virtually any other product on the market.

We use great design to create products that deliver a unique combination of benefits – durability, flexibility, and engineered system. The result is products that can be easily stacked together to build strong structures. At the end of life, the structure can then be non-destructively dismantled and reused. By taking this approach we close the circle and spread the carbon load over multiple structures.

Envirocon’s circular economy approach helps our customers meet both today’s and tomorrow’s requirements, future-proofing their businesses.

Concrete truck in the background with Interbloc concrete blocks in the foreground and a forklift in the middle

Product Stewardship

Great Design

Circular Economy

Get Started

For Engineers and Asset Owners

Request a consultation on how Envirocon’s products and product stewardship scheme can help you meet sustainability requirements.

For Constructors

Request more information on Envirocon’s range of engineered precast concrete products to help you meet sustainability requirements.

For Concrete Companies

Request more information on the Envirocon Ready Mix Concrete Product Stewardship Scheme.

How Can We Help?

Sustainability FAQ's

What Is Product Stewardship?

The Ministry for the Environment defines Product Stewardship as;

“When products end up as waste, all the energy, and resources that went into making them are literally thrown away. When something becomes waste, it doesn’t just cost us money to dispose of and take up space in our landfills – we can’t use its components anymore. One way of stopping this loss is to ensure manufactured products and packaging take on new life in some form when they are no longer needed. We call this product stewardship.”

Which Ready Mix Companies are Covered by Product Stewardship?

The Envirocon Product Stewardship Scheme has two types of members – Foundation members and Plant members.

Envirocon’s foundation members are Allied Concrete and Stevenson Concrete.

Envirocon’s plant members include Firth Concrete, Henderson Plant.

Is The Concrete Used In Envirocon's Products High Quality?

Yes. We capture excess concrete in its ‘wet’ state. All concrete used to manufacture Envirocon products is certified concrete and meet the ready mix concrete industry’s stringent quality control processes. It’s the same concrete used in structural applications.

Can I Get Points for Sustainability Rating Schemes?

The short answer is yes. Common sustainability rating schemes such as Greenstar, Greenroads, and ISCA all include waste reduction credits.

Other common credits relate to specific product stewardship, use of sustainable materials, and reporting. Find our more about how Envirocon meets specific sustainability rating schemes.

What Is Circular Economy?

The Ministry for the Environment describes the circular economy as;

“A circular economy is an alternative to the traditional linear economy in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life.

When a product is designed for the longest use possible and can be easily repaired, remanufactured, or recycled (or used, composted and nutrients returned) we consider it to have a circular life cycle.”

How Are Envirocon Products Reused?

Our products are designed to build strong, durable structures. At the end of the structures’ life, the blocks can be destructively dismantled and reused. The easiest way to sum this approach is that Envirocon offers a comprehensive Buyback Guarantee on our blocks.

Case Studies

February 12, 2020 Southbase Concrete Weights

Fulton Hogan has a long history of operations as one of the founding contracting businesses in New Zealand. More recently, Fulton Hogan has extended its operations into Australia and is rapidly growing a presence and reputation as a major contractor who delivers what they promise.

November 29, 2018 Fulton Hogan

November 29, 2018 Well Connected

Well Connected Alliance has been tasked with constructing an infrastructure development that ranks as the largest roading project ever seen in the country.

SEE ALL CASE STUDIES

Fairly small order but Joanne and Dion were extremely helpful and the items were delivered where and when required. 5 Stars.

David Jenkinson

HOW CAN WE HELP?

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