A Guide on Environmental Compliance in Concrete Production

Everywhere you currently look, there seems to be some sort of construction project underway. Alongside all the construction is a growing concern for the environment and the impact building processes and materials have on the environment. Working in the industry, you will be aware of the new rules, regulations and standards you need to comply with to show you are taking steps to minimise your effect on the surrounding areas. And the concrete industry is no exception.

From air quality and emission regulations to waste management, water usage, pollution control and sustainable material sourcing, there are a number of regulations concrete production has to comply with.

The team at 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping are experts in concrete production and have evolved their processes and products to ensure they are in line with standards and environmental rules. We are keen to reduce our impact on the environment, so we are here to help you, your construction company and all your projects compliant with regulations and environmentally friendly.

In this blog, we explain some of the key regulations and standards we meet in our concrete production process so you can be confident when choosing us that what we supply is compliant.

Air Quality and Emissions Regulations

One of the biggest impacts construction and production can have on the environment is the air quality.

We have all experienced black boogies after a trip to London, or any large city for that matter. You don't want your project to be part of that problem.

Unfortunately, concrete relies on cement as an ingredient, and the production of this ingredient is particularly impactful for CO₂ emissions. The main reason for this is the chemical process of calcination and the energy-intensive nature of its production.

The grinding and mixing process also means that other fine particles are released into the air.

Key UK regulations in place are:

• Climate Change Act 2008 and Net Zero 2050 - this act pushes UK businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and industrial emissions, putting the cement sector at the forefront of innovation to find a way to produce the ingredients without CO₂ emissions.
• UK Emissions Trading Scheme - the UK's emissions trading scheme, which puts a cap on greenhouse gas emissions for energy-intensive industries. This puts an additional cost on producing excess emissions and is trying to put companies off producing some much CO₂.
• Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 - these set strict limits for air pollutants, including PM, NOx, and SOx, across industrial sectors. Cement plants must obtain permits that enforce emission standards and pollution control measures, such as dust suppression and filtration technologies.
• Air Quality Standards and Objectives - emissions of PM, NOx, and SOx are closely monitored and controlled under various air quality objectives. Cement plants are required to meet these standards to minimise public health impacts and environmental harm.

For concrete companies such as ourselves, it is important to source our cement from companies who are working to reduce the CO₂ emissions from the manufacturing process.

Waste Management and Recycling Requirements

Recycling and the correct waste management is something none of us can or should avoid. Even at home, we have several bins to make sure we separate out the rubbish so it can be recycled rather than sent to landfill.

Concrete production is no different. If the amount of concrete is calculated incorrectly, leftover concrete design mixes, demolition debris and leftover ingredients are all waste from the concrete industry.

This waste must be dealt with appropriately so that it doesn't add to landfill problems and can work towards reducing resource extraction and the consequences of that process.

Most concrete waste can be recycled, which aligns with the following regulations:

• Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) - this prioritises the waste hierarchy, emphasising reduction, reuse and recycling before landfill disposal.
• Aggregates Levy - a UK tax on the extraction of natural aggregates, incentivising companies to use recycled materials instead.
• The Landfill Tax Regulations 1996 - a tax on waste sent to landfills, which is designed to reduce landfill dependency and encourage recycling.
• Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) - implementing a waste management plan documents waste management practices, ensuring recycling of materials, including and helping track waste reduction efforts to demonstrate compliance with sustainable practices.

By complying with these regulations and standards, the concrete industry can minimise its carbon footprint, conserve natural resources and reduce landfill impact.

Water Usage and Pollution Control

Concrete production is a water-intensive process, so simply switching the tap off while we clean our teeth in the morning before heading to work isn't going to cut it.

Not only can the production of concrete use up a lot of water, but the clean-up after also uses a lot too. This is a concern because the concrete plants can introduce contaminants into local water systems if not managed properly. So, many concrete production companies will put in a water management system that ensures recycling and pollution control.

Key regulations for this are:

• Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 - concrete plants require an environmental permit if they discharge wastewater or pollutants. Plants must treat wastewater to remove suspended solids, high pH levels, and chemicals that could harm the environment.
• Water Resources Act 1991 - companies must take steps to avoid water pollution, making it illegal to discharge harmful substances into water bodies without proper treatment. Concrete plants must, therefore, ensure wastewater does not run off into local water systems, particularly to protect aquatic ecosystems.
• Water Framework Directive (WFD) - Concrete plants must ensure that their operations do not negatively impact local water bodies and are required to prevent contaminated runoff from entering water systems.

Whether providing a ready-mix service or a mix-on-site service, it is important that a concrete company complies with these rules.

Sustainable Material Sourcing

The concrete industry is increasingly adopting sustainable material sourcing practices to reduce its environmental impact, particularly to reduce its carbon footprint.

Key regulatory frameworks include:

• Construction Products Regulation (CPR) - mandates that all construction products carry a CE mark, certifying compliance with environmental, safety, and sustainability standards. Sustainable sourcing of materials can contribute to compliance under CPR, aligning with broader environmental objectives.
• Waste and Resource Efficiency - manufacturers are encouraged to reuse and recycle waste materials, reducing demand for primary resources.
• Green Building Standards - standards like BREEAM and LEED encourage the use of responsibly sourced materials in construction projects. Compliance with these standards often involves sourcing low-carbon cement alternatives and recycled materials, which contributes to the environmental performance of buildings.
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) - help the concrete industry demonstrate the environmental impact of materials. EPDs provide a transparent, standardised assessment of a product's life cycle impact, covering areas such as CO₂ emissions, water use, and resource depletion.

The overall aim of these regulations is to reduce CO₂ emissions and the need for primary resources which damage habitats and use fossil fuels.

Choose Compliance with 2 Brothers

There are a number of ways the concrete industry and concrete production are working to reduce the impact the manufacturing process has on the environment, from air quality and pollutant control to waste management, water usage and management and sourcing sustainable materials.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we have everything in place to follow these standards and regulations, making our concrete production and pumping services compliant.

So, if you are looking for concrete suppliers who you can trust are working to reduce their impact on the environment, in turn, you are also working to reduce your impact on the environment, then don't hesitate to get in touch with us today! Call us on 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form.