Sustainability Committee update

A snapshot of the discussion

• GPA Sustainability Reporting

  • Sustainability and the environment are at the heart of the GPA. After successfully achieving the carbon intensity reduction targets of 10% by 2020 & 20% by 2025, the focus turns to setting the new goals for the next period. All member companies are adopting the scope of their BES 6001 – Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products certification as the scope for reporting carbon scopes 1 & 2. The team are finalizing the targets for the next period, which will be communicated shortly.   

  • The topic of circularity was discussed at length. With the focus on both recycled pre/post-consumer gypsum material for members to process into new plasterboard. Members of the association continue to work with the supply chain, 3^rd party recyclers, to adopt the best method of processing waste gypsum material, thus continuing to develop the closed loop philosophy. This includes a review of the PAS 109 Specification for the Production of Recycled Gypsum from Waste Plasterboard.

  • Other areas discussed, which we will cover in future posts, included Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

  • Under the Plasterboard Sustainability Partnership, work continues on the Best Practice Guide for Waste Minimisation.

• Health & Safety

  • The UK and Ireland plasterboard sector has, will continue to invest and lead in all aspects of health & safety, from the mining activity, through manufacturing, distribution, on-site manual handing. The GPA Sustainability Committee agreed to continue to report on Accident - LTIR (Lost Time Injury Rate).

• Environment Agency

  • UK based members of the GPA are regulated by the Environment Agency (EA), Leonie Morgan, EA Senior Advisor for the Cement, Lime and other Minerals sectors, joined the meeting providing an opportunity for ongoing engagement and alignment.

Note – The GPA meeting is held under Competition Act 1998 legislation,  with GPA Secretariat in attendance.