As the world wakes up to the environmental challenges posed by massive plastic consumption, the construction industry is reducing its reliance on single-use plastics and increasing its use of recycled plastics. 

Plastic items can take up to a millennium to degrade in landfills, but in the near term, the material’s reputation is degenerating at a much faster clip. Heightened awareness of its effects on the environment has prompted businesses and individuals to reassess their relationship with plastic.

As a major consumer of single-use plastic, the construction industry could help to drastically reduce waste by using less and, instead, reusing and recycling more.

The most common plastics used in construction are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene and expanded polystyrene. Plastic is used for various applications such as seals, windows and doors, pipes, cables, floor coverings and insulation.

The industry also traditionally uses plastic films for packaging. Where facilities exist and the systems to manage recycling are in place, packaging can be bundled up and incinerated in energy-from-waste plants.

Plastics are not all equal

Not all plastics are bad, and consumption within the industry looks set to increase, with plastic pipes, for example, already accounting for most new pipe installations.

“Contrary to popular belief, it’s important to acknowledge that plastics in construction are often a positive thing,” says Allan Sandilands, principal consultant at sustainability consultancy Resource Futures. “Many are highly durable, long lasting and permanently installed, so they’re unlikely to become marine litter.”

Additionally, plastics are cost-effective, strong yet light, easily formable and easy to maintain.

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