Practical Sustainability

Our current, linear economy takes natural resources, makes things, then disposes of them as waste.

The circular economy uses resources with ever-increasing efficiency. It aims to make sure everything we create can be used for as long as possible and then be recycled/upcycled. This process ensures we can unmake everything we make.

By doing this we drive resource efficiency – reducing costs and delivering more sustainable outcomes. Done correctly, it makes perfect commercial sense.

Envirocon has embedded the circular economy approach in our manufacturing system and product design. We take high-quality excess product from the old make/use/waste economy and upcycle it into engineered precast concrete block systems.

We do this through an unwavering commitment to great product design.

From the beginning, Envirocon has had its goal set on being New Zealand’s first and best circular economy in the construction industry. Because our foundations focused on moving away from the linear economy at the get-go, we’ve allowed ourselves to design our business and products that are sustainable/fitting the circular economy idea.

To get a better understanding of our brand and our sustainability origins, take a look at the video below!

• long-term cost savings
• increased local job opportunities
• encouragement of technical innovation
• reducing the amount of harmful waste produced
• reversing our impacts on climate change.

One of the most important aspects of Practical Sustainability is to make the process simple. We’ve followed this notion by committing to Product Stewardship, allowing for a succinct and easy way of upcycling wet & unused concrete.

What Product Stewardship Is and How We Use It

Product stewardship is about everyone – manufacturers, importers, retailers, and consumers alike – taking responsibility for the end life of a product. It aims to reduce waste, which can be done through better product design which then leads to a longer life for the product or an easier recycling process.

Our product stewardship scheme provides a sustainable end-of-life management solution for end of life ready mix concrete waste. It is the only accredited construction-related scheme in New Zealand. The aim of the scheme is to eliminate all waste created through the concrete batching process – that is, wet waste ready mix concrete, washout fines, and wastewater. The Scheme specifically excludes demolition waste concrete.

(1) Wet waste concrete left over at the completion of job

(2) Truck returns to batching plant

(3) Truck discharges wet surplus concrete into Envirocon in yard collection receptacle

(4) Truck washes out into Envirocon in yard collection receptacle

(5) Truck available for redeployment

(6) Wet waste concrete is upcycled into the Interbloc/Stonebloc wall systems.