Why Architects Should Specify British Recycled Plastic: Low-Carbon, Durable, and Compliant

Architects today face increasing pressure to meet environmental sustainability targets and contribute to Net Zero goals while ensuring their designs remain functional, aesthetically pleasing, and durable.

British Recycled Plastic offers a comprehensive range of products that not only provide long-term durability and low maintenance but also help architects and end-users accurately calculate the embodied carbon of their projects. This can significantly assist clients in meeting their sustainability targets.

Embodied Carbon Calculations: Supporting Net Zero Goals

A key factor in reducing the environmental impact of new developments is understanding and minimising embodied carbon—the total greenhouse gas emissions generated during the manufacturing, transport, installation, and disposal of building materials. British Recycled Plastic can provide detailed data on the total embodied carbon of its products, giving architects and their clients the insights they need to make informed decisions that align with Net Zero goals.

By incorporating these materials into your designs, you can demonstrate a commitment to carbon reduction from the outset. The detailed carbon data provided by British Recycled Plastic allows end-users to calculate the overall carbon footprint of a project, supporting long-term sustainability plans and helping meet planning regulations focused on reducing environmental impact. For clients in sectors such as housing, retail, and public infrastructure, where sustainability is becoming a crucial factor in project approval, this data is invaluable.

Choosing recycled plastic products over traditional materials like wood or concrete can make a significant difference in reducing a project’s carbon footprint, which is crucial as more developers aim for Net Zero construction.

SuDS-Compliant Hebden Grids for Water Management

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are increasingly becoming a requirement in urban and rural developments due to the need to manage stormwater and prevent flooding. Hebden grids are a SuDS-compliant solution, allowing water to drain naturally through permeable surfaces such as driveways, car parks, and pathways.

Planning officers across the UK often favour Hebden grids because they not only reduce the risk of flooding but also require minimal maintenance. Their long-term durability ensures that developments can maintain their SuDS compliance without ongoing costs related to resurfacing or drainage repair. Additionally, the use of recycled plastic in Hebden grids further contributes to a lower carbon footprint for the project, supporting both sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.

Fencing: Long-Term Durability with No Maintenance

Fencing is another area where recycled plastic provides significant benefits over traditional timber. Recycled plastic fencing is weather-resistant, rot-proof, and requires no ongoing treatments like painting or varnishing. This offers architects a low-maintenance, long-lasting material that ensures cost savings over the lifetime of the project.

For architects working on residential or commercial developments, specifying recycled plastic fencing not only reduces the maintenance burden but also contributes to carbon reduction by minimising the need for resource-intensive repairs or replacements. The data on embodied carbon from British Recycled Plastic further enhances the appeal of these products, providing end-users with clear metrics on how their material choices are contributing to Net Zero targets.

Planters and Bollards: Biodiversity and Aesthetic Benefits

Creating outdoor spaces that are both functional and contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is becoming essential in architectural design. British Recycled Plastic’s range of planters offers a solution that supports biodiversity while requiring minimal upkeep. These planters can be filled with pollinator-friendly plants, contributing to local ecosystems and helping projects meet BNG requirements.

Similarly, recycled plastic bollards offer a durable, low-maintenance solution for delineating pedestrian areas, protecting green spaces, or managing parking. These products are highly resistant to weather and impact, meaning they can maintain their appearance and functionality without ongoing maintenance.

By incorporating planters and bollards into your architectural plans, you’re not only contributing to environmental sustainability but also enhancing the aesthetic value of outdoor spaces. The embodied carbon data provided by British Recycled Plastic ensures that these contributions are measurable, helping your clients demonstrate tangible progress towards their carbon reduction goals.

Decking: A Durable, Low-Impact Solution

Recycled plastic decking is another option for outdoor spaces such as terraces, boardwalks, and garden areas. Like other products from British Recycled Plastic, decking offers superior durability compared to traditional materials like timber, with no need for ongoing treatments or replacements.

This low-maintenance solution is ideal for architects looking to design outdoor areas that are both functional and sustainable. Decking from British Recycled Plastic contributes to reducing the overall carbon footprint of the project, providing architects with a reliable, low-impact material for external applications.

Free Samples

Architects can enhance client engagement with their sustainable project designs by requesting free material samples from British Recycled Plastic. With no cost involved, these samples offer both architects and clients the opportunity to see and feel the quality of our products first-hand, ensuring they meet the aesthetic and durability requirements of their projects.

We understand the importance of quick access to materials, so most sample requests are dispatched the very next day, providing prompt support for fast-paced project timelines. Requesting a sample is a straightforward way to explore our versatile, long-lasting solutions, designed to meet the needs of innovative, environmentally-conscious architecture.

Supporting the Architect’s Role in Sustainable Design

For architects, the choice of materials is a key driver of sustainability, not just in terms of embodied carbon but also in ensuring that the materials specified lead to low-maintenance, long-lasting developments. British Recycled Plastic’s products provide a clear pathway towards achieving these goals, offering solutions that are:

  • Low-maintenance, reducing long-term costs for property owners and developers.
  • Sustainably produced, contributing to the circular economy by using 100% recycled UK waste.
  • Durable and weather-resistant, ensuring longevity and reducing the need for replacements or repairs.

By including British Recycled Plastic’s products in your architectural drawings, you are not only supporting the long-term sustainability of the project but also contributing to Net Zero goals. The ability to calculate and report on the total embodied carbon of materials is becoming increasingly important for developers, planners, and end-users, and British Recycled Plastic provides the data necessary to support these efforts.

Looking to the Future

For architects focused on delivering sustainable, durable, and low-maintenance designs, British Recycled Plastic offers a range of products that help meet the demands of modern construction while supporting broader environmental goals. From SuDS-compliant Hebden grids to biodiversity-enhancing planters, long-lasting fencing, and low-maintenance seating, these products provide both practical and environmental benefits. The ability to calculate and report on the embodied carbon of these materials ensures that your projects not only comply with regulatory requirements but also make a tangible contribution to Net Zero targets.

By specifying British Recycled Plastic in your architectural plans, you are making a smart, forward-thinking choice that aligns with the future of sustainable design.