Resource efficiency is about the sustainable use of resources; effective use and management of the resources available to industry while optimising output and maximising profit.  It considers the use of all physical resources (water, energy etc) and materials used in the production and operational cycle. It focuses on maximising the amount of product with minimum resource use and therefore increasing potential profit by reducing costs and increasing productivity. Resource efficiency is often associated with waste minimisation and is essentially about doing more with less (fewer materials and less energy).  Resource efficiency offers businesses the opportunity to plan for change by systematically recognising  inefficiencies, quantifying them and developing innovative solutions.

Resource efficiency is becoming increasingly important with the rising costs of materials, an increased focus on protecting the environment and a drive to divert waste from landfill. The efficient usage of materials and the reduction of waste can produce significant cost savings, improve productivity and contribute to a company’s triple bottom line.

• The construction industry produces the majority of UK wastes and consumes large amounts of resources.
• There is a need for the construction industry to minimise waste and the input of primary resources by increasing the reuse and recycling of existing resources.
• There are many organisations, funded mainly through Government, dealing with resource efficiency in the construction sector.  These provide advice, guidance, research and consultancy therefore helping industry to meet the drive for change enforced by legislation, both at a European and UK level.
• There are several methodologies for looking at the environmental impact of products or improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes.

The polymer sector is already active in the areas of resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact with a number of initiatives already in place.

NGCC has recently produced a number of reports looking at recycling of fibre reinforced polymers and their environmental impact, including embodied energy. 

Green Guide to Composites
NetComposites has also produced the Green Guide to Composites to enable the sector to understand the environmental and social impacts associated with composite production and assist with the decisions made about material and process choice. http://www.netcomposites.com/composites-green-guide.asp

BeAware Project
As part of the BeAware project, Loughborough University have been conducting investigations into the recycling opportunities for FRP waste, specifically glass fibre reinforced polymers (GRP).  These provided interesting potential opportunities for the use of GRP waste in rubber, concrete and pre-cast concrete architectural applications.  Further details on the results arising from this can be seen at www.beaware.org.uk.

Action required for further change

Legislation Review and Development of new standards
The current REACH Standard does not cover recycled content and there is a lack of Government incentives to improve reuse and recyclability.

Clear Labelling of products
Standard and easy identification of the types of polymers and fibres products are made from is needed to enable and encourage segregation for recycling.

Responsibility for materials at end of life
There is no clear responsibility on producers for the management of polymer products reaching their end of life and becoming waste.