Working in an eco-friendly way is no longer a “nice to have”; it’s an essential responsibility that everyone – including the scaffolding industry – needs to step up to.

Did you know that the built environment is responsible for over 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint? It stands to reason that those building their careers in the construction industry really need to start taking action and delivering a positive contribution to the green agenda.

We’ve seen it done. We’ve watched companies totally smashing their new sustainable initiatives. 

And now we want to see the rest of the industry get involved.

Why is sustainable construction and the green agenda important?

The construction industry, in one way or another, takes up a lot of natural resources. 

With these resources – unsurprisingly – being of finite nature and concerns only growing over the repercussions of climate change, it’s our job to do what we can to reduce our overall impact on the environment.

But the problem is… where do you even start?

It’s time to get the ball rolling; no excuses. To help (because you know we’re nice like that) we’ve pulled together 5 effective ways scaffolders are joining the green agenda.

 

1. Always plan ahead.

 

Here at Skill, planning is vital in making sure we always complete a job on (or ideally, before) deadline. It’s one of our core business pillars and something we pride ourselves on.

But the benefit goes far beyond customer satisfaction. It can enable you to avoid waste and reduce your vehicle emissions to a pretty high degree.

Because when you’ve got a super clear, well thought out plan in place, you’re less likely to overestimate on material usage. This can be applied to both you – the scaffolder – and your client.

When you know precisely how much you need on site (and how many people) you may even be able to go from three vehicles down to two. Less emissions on the road, less fuel in the tank.

 

2. Make sure your steel is STRONG

 

Strong steel = longer lasting steel. Aka, more opportunities to deconstruct and reuse; for as long as it remains safe.

A weaker steel on your scaffolding won’t last anywhere near as long. You’re then going to be left with more waste and a higher environmental toll on your shoulders. 

Ideally, you want a steel that can be brought down and put back up time and time again. And when the time does come to wave “bye bye”? Recycle. Melt it down. Repurpose.

You know. The great circle of life and all that.

Plus, as an added tip, if you regularly apply a finish to your scaffold (such as a powder coat or paint) you’ll find it lasts even longer. 

 

3. Consider lightweight scaffolding.

 

While this won’t be appropriate for all projects – and safety should always be your number one priority when making your choice – using lightweight scaffolding is another way to minimise your firm’s impact on the environment.

Lightweight scaffolding is produced from aluminium, making it far less heavy than traditional types and much easier to transport from A to B. That means you can get away with fewer journeys, less trucks and – inevitably – a lower fuel intake.

 

4. Educate!

 

There are endless benefits to implementing an education programme for your staff. It boosts job satisfaction and staff morale, improves staff retention and creates a stimulating company culture that people actually want to be a part of.

So why not kill two birds with one stone and educate your staff on the steps they can take to reduce their own carbon footprint?

This could be as simple as installing recycling bins at your HQ and teaching staff about the different levels of recycling. You could also hold “lunch and learns” for on the ground staff about more efficient driving, or work with an environmental organisation to set up an online portal for your team to collect “green badges” for a reward.

 

5. Keep a savvy eye on the local wildlife.

 

When you’re working outdoors, it’s crucial to be aware of how much you and your staff could disrupt wildlife in the local environment. 

That means avoiding disturbing any nests in nearby trees or hedges and limiting any damage you could make on the surrounding plant life.

Essentially, it’s about keeping an eye out for any vulnerable spots and doing everything you can to protect them throughout your time on the job. Not only will this enable you to “do your part” for fragile habitats, but it will also contribute to your positive business reputation. Win win!

Although this is just a snapshot of the ways in which scaffolders can contribute to a greener society, we hope it gives you a starter for ten to get the *thing* going. If you want to find out more, drop a member of our team a line. We’re always up for a chat!