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Windows Sustainability Action Plan2nd Annual Report 2013

A contribution to delivering the targets in the joint Government and industry Strategy for Sustainable Construction.

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Logos of supporting organisations

Windows Sustainability Partnership Membership

Organisation Website Participant

British Glass www.britglass.org.uk Vallishree Murthy

British Plastics Federation (BPF) www.bpf.co.uk Paul Jervis

British Woodworking Federation (BWF) www.bwf.org.uk Kevin Underwood

Construction Products Association www.constructionproducts.org.uk Jane Thornback

Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) www.c-a-b.org.uk Justin Ratcliffe

Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) www.ggf.co.uk Russell Day

Giles Willson

Ineos Chlorvinyls www.ineoschlor.com Jason Leadbitter (chair)

The NSG Group www.nsg.com Sharon Williams

Saint Gobain Glass http://uk.saint-gobain-glass.com/b2c/default.asp Dave Redford

Solaglas www.solaglas.co.uk Brian Baker

Timber Resource Efficiency Partnership

(TREP)

www.bwf.org.uk/trep Matthew Mahony

Wood Window Alliance (WWA) http://www.woodwindowalliance.com John Fletcher

WRAP www.wrap.org.uk Malcolm Waddell

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Foreword

In a fiercely competitive world, it is somehow reassuring to

observe how industries can come together, as we have done

within the Windows Sustainability Partnership, to both share

best practice and implement key actions for the common good.

One of the best examples to date is how each sector is

approaching its commitment towards responsible sourcing.

The Windows Sustainability Action Plan has started a

collaborative journey that I am confident will both lead to

significant improvements across the windows industry and

contribute towards the recognition of the UK as a leader in sustainable construction.

Jason Leadbitter

Windows Sustainability Partnership Chairman

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Executive Summary

This report details the progress made against actions in the Windows Sustainability Action Plan throughout

2012. The actions in this Plan have been grouped into the five sections which were in the original

Windows Sustainability Action Plan. These are: Overarching Challenges and the main components –

Glazing, PVC, Aluminium and Timber. Steel has been omitted from this Action Plan; however, should

suitable representatives of the steel window sector wish to join the Windows Sustainability Partnership

in the future, then revisions of the Plan can incorporate this.

Progress against each of the above areas is detailed throughout this annual report. Key highlights in the

component areas have been as follows:

The flat glass companies have worked together and with other stakeholders to overcome

barriers and move ever closer to implementing Responsible Sourcing for the glass supply chain.

The companies helped create an independently verified Life Cycle Analysis for thermally

efficient flat glass. Saint Gobain became the first flat glass company in the world to do this for

specific products.

Through Recovinyl, the recycling arm of the PVC industry, the UK successfully managed to

both collect and recycle 25,479 tonnes per annum of post-consumer PVC window frames from

demolition waste. This equates to a conservative estimate of over one million window frames

being diverted from landfill and recycled back into long-term construction products, including

new windows.

Aluminium’s generic environmental profiles were updated in the BRE Green Guide online on 8

August 2012. For the first time since the introduction of the Green Guide, aluminium powder

coated windows can now achieve the following ratings:

- ‘A+’ Rating (for all commercial windows < 0.9kg/m)

- ‘A’ Rating (for all commercial windows < 1.5kg/m)

- ‘A’ Rating (for all domestic windows < 1.08kg/m)

- ‘B’ Rating (for all domestic windows >1.08kg/m)

The focus of attention for timber windows in 2012 was on continued research into their

durability and service life expectations, continued action to ensure the use of timber from legal

and sustainable sources, and working with WRAP and Defra on improved reuse and recovery

of so-called wood waste ahead of a proposed ban of wood waste to landfill.

The continued development of the Windows Sustainability Partnership has meant closer ties across key

industry sectors and with WRAP. The link between the Construction Products Association, WRAP and

various trade bodies in the windows sector has meant greater synergy and communication. The

formation of the Windows Sustainability Partnership has increased the level of focus in this area and

notable progress has been made across the Windows Sustainability Action Plan.

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Contents

Foreword 2

Executive Summary 3

1 Introduction 5

2. Windows Sustainability Partnership 7

3. Overarching challenges across the windows sector 8

4. Optimised glazing 12

5 VinylPlus 15

6. Aluminium for Future Generations 17

7. Timber Resource Efficiency 21

Appendix A: Windows Supply Chain Diagrams 23

Appendix B: Windows Sustainability Partnership Constitution 25

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1 Introduction

In 2009, an evidence study1 was produced detailing the resource efficiency of the windows sector. This

Windows Sustainability Action Plan was published in October 20102 and was a key output from Defra’s

roadmap process.

In the construction area, windows were chosen for a roadmap because of their usage in virtually all

buildings, significance in terms of energy and environmental performance of a building and the strong

record the industry has in identifying and implementing sustainability improvements. Most of the

evidence and actions considered by the Windows Sustainability Partnership (WSP) relate to domestic

windows, though some are equally relevant to commercial windows (such as recycling of flat glass).

The WSP is made up of representation from across the windows supply chain from manufacture

through to disposal, with members principally being those trade associations representing aspects of

the windows supply chain.

The implementation of the Action Plan is supported by WRAP. This document constitutes the second

annual report to evaluate progress against the actions in the 2010 Action Plan. Some of the action

points have been reassessed and certain items may be removed, added or changed in future reports.

1.1 About Windows

The total stock of windows in the UK housing market is estimated at around 230 million units.

However, with the onset of the recession, a reduction in house building and the high number of

homes that now have double glazing, the demand for windows in housing has decreased to just over 6

million frames. By 2011 over 84% of homes had some degree of double glazing,3 and the proportion of

first-time replacement windows has now dropped to less than 50% (which means the replacement of

replacement windows exceeds 50%).

Common to all windows are the glazing units and hardware (window locks, etc.). Framing materials

typically used include PVC-U (Polyvinyl Chloride – Unplasticised), hardwood, softwood, aluminium and

steel. For the purposes of this Action Plan, the following framing materials are reported on: PVC-U,

timber and aluminium.

A key consideration in measuring the performance of windows relates to the energy efficiency of

buildings. In recent years this has focused on product innovation, especially in terms of the thermal

efficiency of the glazed area.

Triple glazing, special coatings, low-emissivity and vacuum glazing are all outputs of this activity.

Research and development continues to thrive in this product area, further driven by policy

commitments to build only zero-carbon dwellings by 2016, and zero-carbon buildings by 2019.

More details of the environmental impacts and background to the purpose of this work can

be found in the Windows Sustainability Action Plan.

1 http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/products/roadmaps/documents/windows0909.pdf 2 http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13438-windows-101019.pdf 3 Trade Sector Profile: Domestic Glazing June 2007, Purple Market Research Ltd for Energy Savings Trust and Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes updated with Competent Person Schemes registrations

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1.2 Windows Supply Chain

It is difficult to provide a ‘one size fits all’ supply chain diagram to cover all windows. A simplified one

is provided in Figure 1. More detailed supply chain diagrams for the main windows components can be

found in Appendix A.

Figure 1 Windows supply chain

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2. Windows Sustainability Partnership

2.1 What is the Windows Sustainability Partnership?

The Windows Sustainability Partnership (WSP) owns and oversees the

implementation, monitoring and review of the Windows Sustainability Action Plan.

The WSP is a networking organisation set up to lead on sustainability issues relating

to windows. It is to provide a single point of contact for sustainability throughout

the ‘windows sector’.

It facilitates networking between the individual segments of the industry.

It communicates best practice.

It is a non-profit making organisation.

2.2 What the Windows Sustainability Partnership is not

It is not a ‘governing body’.

It is not a recycling scheme.

It will not take funds from other groups.

2.3 Windows Sustainability Partnership members list

The WSP is made up of representatives from across the windows supply chain,

trade associations, as well as relevant Government departments, regulatory

agencies and delivery bodies.

A full membership list is given at the front of this document.

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3. Overarching challenges across the windows sector

The energy performance of windows predominates in terms of reducing environmental impact

generally. The design, engineering and quality of window fabrication all play important roles in

producing an energy efficient window.

This section details the progress against the overarching actions detailed in section 5 of the Windows

Sustainability Action Plan4 published in 2010.

Table 1 Actions for overarching challenges across the windows sector

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Progress

OC1 - Responsible

sourcing scheme for

glass

Responsible sourcing

standards for all main

windows components

required before responsible

sourcing standard for

windows is possible. British

Glass to discuss with UK

glass manufacturers to gauge

interest in setting up a

sector scheme.

British Glass British Glass with the three UK flat glass

manufacturers reviewed the two responsible

sourcing standards: BES 6001 and BS 8902,

mapping out the practical implications for the

product supply chain. The conclusion from

this work is that, whilst BES 6001 is

considered by the manufacturers to be the

most applicable existing standard for a

number of reasons, it does not readily lend

itself to a multistage and multi-material supply

chain product such as a double glazing unit.

There are inherent difficulties in dealing with

a comparatively large number of

stakeholders, especially when there may be a

changing population in the often smaller,

downstream organisations upon which final

certification and relatively larger cost and

environmental obligations may rest. This may

render continued and consistent certification

difficult.

BES 6001 will be reviewed in 2013 and the

group will work closely with the review panel

to try to resolve this issue.

The flat glass industry continues to drive

responsible sourcing forward. We have been

working with the other material sectors,

GGF, the UK Contractors Group and others.

We thank our partners for their positive

input to the process.

4 http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13438-windows-101019.pdf

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Table 1 Actions for overarching challenges across the windows sector (continued)

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Progress

OC2 - Responsible

sourcing scheme for

PVC

Responsible sourcing

standards for all main

windows components

required before responsible

sourcing standard for

windows is possible.

Agreement as to preferred

approach.

British Plastics

Federation

(BPF)

Significant progress was made during 2012

with a draft European PVC Responsible

Sourcing standard prepared through a unique

partnership between VinylPlus, BRE and The

Natural Step. The draft standard is based on

a combination of BES 6001 criteria combined

with additional VinylPlus sustainability

challenges

Current Status:

During 2013 the draft standard will be

piloted by a range of companies from

various PVC sectors including those

producing windows and doors

The standard will be critically assessed

by third party endorsers

It is anticipated that the standard will be

formally launched during 2013

OC3 - Responsible

sourcing scheme for

aluminium

Continue to work globally

to develop and implement a

responsible aluminium

scheme.

Council for

Aluminium in

Building (CAB)

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

launched in 2012 has been spearheaded by

several industry players with the support of

the International Union for Conservation of

Nature (IUCN).

ASI’s first goal is to develop the ASI Standard

to foster responsible resource management

of aluminium through the entire value chain.

The Standard will define principles and

performance criteria in the area of

governance, environmental and social

practices. It will be applicable for all stages of

aluminium production and transformation,

specifically: bauxite mining, alumina refinery,

primary aluminium production, semi-

fabrication (rolling, extrusion, forging, and

foundry) as well as refining and remelting of

recycled scrap. It will also include a chain of

custody mechanism to allow a coherent and

integrated linkage of information between the

different stages of the value chain.

It is forecast that the Standard will be

developed by the end of 2014; see

www.aluminium-stewardship.org

OC4 - Further

increase in

responsibly sourced

timber

Further progress the use of

timber from independently

certified sustainably

managed sources, for

example through recruiting

more manufacturers to the

Timber Window

Accreditation Scheme and

Wood Window Alliance.

British

Woodworking

Federation

(BWF)

The BWF offers advice and guidance

documents to ensure that companies are able

to meet the new requirements of the EU

timber regulation, which comes into force in

March 2013 and will ban the placing of illegal

timber on the EU market, in addition to

providing publications to assist manufacturers

in meeting the performance standards set out

in the Green Deal.

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Table 1 Actions for overarching challenges across the windows sector (continued)

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Progress

OC5 - Durability

and service life of

windows

Raise awareness of

durability and actual service

life of windows through the

following methods where

relevant to WSP members:

Publicise conclusions

of research into the

durability of factory

finished timber

windows to encourage

fabrication of more

durable windows

through the adoption

of best practice;

Awareness raising of

actual service life of

PVC-U windows

fabricated in line with

BPF Codes of Practice

for Fabricators;

Use of Green Guide to

raise awareness, and

provide evidence for

update of service life

predictions in BRE

Green Guide for

Specification;

Issue of case study

reports;

Provide detailed

technical document

for use by specifiers,

clients and consumers.

WSP members CAB has sponsored two case studies on

‘Aluminium and Durability’ by the

Department of Architecture & Built

Environment at Nottingham University in

order to better understand and quantify

aluminium's life expectancy in buildings.

The work with the University also included

sponsorship of the ‘Prototyping Architecture’

Exhibition at the Building Centre, London

during Q1, 2013.

CAB continues to highlight aluminium’s

longevity; for example, over 200 windows

installed 73 years ago in the New University

Library at Oxford University http://www.c-a-

b.org.uk/why-aluminium/aluminium-longevity/

Timber windows – the conclusions of work

undertaken by Imperial College London on

the durability and service life of wood

windows has been widely promoted by the

Wood Window Alliance via the internet, TV

advertising and in guides to help in the

specification of long-life, high performance

wood windows.

Since October 2010 further work has been

commissioned by WWA with Heriot Watt

University to include wood/aluminium

composite windows and modified timber

windows. Results reported in 2012 showed a

range of service life estimates for each

material in a variety of weather exposure

conditions and various maintenance

scenarios. The results were reported at

Timber Expo Sept 2012 and are available to

view on the WWA website.

The BPF continues to actively promote a

minimum service life of 35 years as

independently verified by BRE for windows

fabricated from PVC profiles and through

various events for its members and their

downstream fabricators.5

5

http://www.bpf.co.uk/Windows/Enviromental_Matters/Life_of_a_PVC_U_Window.aspx

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Table 1 Actions for overarching challenges across the windows sector (continued)

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Progress

OC6 - Repair and

refurbishment of

windows

Investigate the practicalities

and economics of the repair

and refurbishment of

different window types

instead of direct

replacement.

WSP members Research published in 2012 assessed the

service life of a window during the lifespan of

a building in a variety of weather exposure

conditions and varying maintenance

scenarios.

A guide to repairing, replicating and replacing

wood windows continues to be circulated for

windows in buildings in conservation areas.

Improved durability is linked to better timber

substrate procurement and factory-applied

decorative treatments – also see action T2,

Table 7.

The BPF has prepared a powerpoint

presentation on the repairability of PVC

window frames which is available to both

members and fabricators. Details can be

obtained from the British Plastics Federation.

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4. Optimised glazing

The energy performance of windows predominates in terms of reducing environmental impact

generally. Design, engineering and quality of the window fabrication play important parts in producing

an energy efficient window.

Table 2 Sustainable actions for optimised glazing (OG)

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Status

OG1 -

Environmental

costs and benefits

of different glazing

options

To prepare an outline project

proposal to undertake an

objective assessment of the

environmental costs and

benefits of different glazing

options. To include:

LCA comparison of

double versus triple

glazing;

review of specifications

used in Europe compared

to climatic assumptions;

and

review of new

technologies/products and

optimal application in

buildings.

Building Research

Establishment

(BRE)

In 2012 British Glass, the flat glass

manufacturers and BRE submitted a joint

proposal with joint funding to the BRE

Trust and the NHBC Foundation which

included a comparison of different glazing

options. Unfortunately this was not

successful. We are seeking other sources

of funding to carry out this study.

Saint Gobain Glass has become the first

glass producer in the world to publish

Environmental Product Declarations

(EPD) for their products. EPD is a

comprehensive, third party verified life

cycle analysis. http://epd.saint-gobain-

glass.com/

A life cycle analysis has been completed

by Glass For Europe to determine the

environmental impact of applying

thermally efficient coatings on glass.

OG2 - Improved

thermal comfort of

windows

Evaluate the effects of trickle

vents on thermal comfort to

provide evidence for a possible

revision of Part F (ventilation)6

Glass and Glazing

Federation (GGF)

During the consultations for the 2010

Building Regulations a cost–benefit

analysis relating to the inclusion of trickle

ventilators in all windows was undertaken.

This analysis showed that the installation

of trickle ventilators in all windows did

not meet the criteria in terms of cost and

benefit. This analysis is still current and

therefore no changes to the current

requirements relating to new build and

replacement windows will be made.

6 This was originally identified to be done by 2013; Part F is not due to be changed.

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Table 2 Sustainable actions for optimised glazing (continued)

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Status

OG3 - In situ

assessment of

window

performance

Develop site-based test to

assess the U & g value of

windows as installed, for use by

building control officers and

CSH/BREEAM assessment.

GGF / BRE The site measurement of overall window

U-value is not a realistic goal; it is

impossible to measure framing U-values

and the effects at the insulating glass unit

(IGU) edge. The only way a window’s U-

value can be determined is by hot-box

testing or simulation. Equipment to

determine the presence of and density of

cavity gases and emissivity values of the

installed glass is being assessed. The g-

value of glass cannot be effectively

determined on site.

The issue regarding site measurement is

also one of cost; the equipment required

is relatively expensive and inspectors

would need equipment probably valued at

£10,000 or more to check these

characteristics.

Based on the above, the only method of

determining the U-value of installed

windows will be a paper trail to confirm

that the specification required has in fact

been supplied and installed.

OG4 - Potential to

exploit solar gain

Explore different mechanisms

that could store energy from

solar gain that has been

captured through potential

future advances in glazing

technologies (e.g. by turning

the building’s floors and walls

into storage radiators).

WSP members No further progress in 2012.

OG5 - Recycling of

flat glass across the

supply chain and at

end of life

Provide information on

recycling, maintaining quality

and where to send glass for

recycling.

WRAP /

Environment

Agency

End of Waste Criteria for glass were

published by the EU on 10 December

2012. The UK has 6 months to implement

the relevant Regulation into UK

legislation.

Glass for Europe recently started

discussions with the European

Commission about the best way to

manage demolition glass waste.

OG6 - Pallet

Repatriation Action

Plan

Change or make

new action

The relevant actions from the

Pallet Repatriation Action Plan

should be adopted and

promoted by window suppliers

to improve the repatriation of

wooden pallets for reuse.

WRAP

now delivered by

the Construction

Products

Association

The pallet action group did not relaunch.

This action is now closed. See new action

OG7 below, which will include a pallet

review within the resource efficiency

review.

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Table 2 Sustainable actions for optimised glazing (continued)

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Status

OG7 - (NEW)

Manufacturers to

undertake

Resource Efficiency

Reviews

One manufacturer each from

glass, timber, PVC and

aluminium should undergo a

Resource Efficiency Review by

end 2013 and the savings

across financial, CO2 and waste

will be consolidated for the

annual report next year.

WRAP / WSP

members

WRAP has launched a project on

construction product resource efficiency

reviews and a presentation was made to

the Windows Sustainability Partnership in

December 2012, with interest already

shown by manufacturers and suppliers.

This will look to improve resource

efficiency of a product by reviewing the

manufacturing and supply chain process

which will include considerations of

packaging.

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5 VinylPlus

VinylPlus is now into its second year of commitments across the whole of the European

PVC industry.7 A number of significant targets were achieved during its first year, with

continued emphasis on recycling. This initiative builds on the successes of the previous

commitment with significantly increased targets. For example, an overall recycling target of

800,000 tonnes per annum has been set for PVC by 2020, compared to 200,000 tonnes per

annum in Vinyl 2010. A striking difference with the new initiative is a partnership with The

Natural Step,8 which under the guidance of their system conditions, has led to the

development of 5 key sustainability challenges for PVC including:

1. Controlled-loop recycling management

2. Addressing organochlorine emissions

3. Sustainable use of additives used in PVC

4. Sustainable energy use

5. Sustainability awareness

Each of the above challenges has a sub-set of targets which have been developed to guide

the industry towards meeting its sustainability objectives. An annual report highlighting

progress is published in April and the Progress Report for 2012 can be downloaded from

the link given below.9

7 http://www.vinylplus.eu/en_GB/

8 http://www.naturalstep.org/ 9 http://www.vinylplus.eu/uploads/Modules/Publications/vinylplus_progressreport_2012.pdf

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Table 3 Sustainable actions for PVC

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Status

P1 - Post vinyl

2010 – Vinyl 2020.

NB: now called

VinylPlus10

A new voluntary

commitment process,

begun in 2010.

British Plastics

Federation

(BPF)

VinylPlus Progress report for 2012 included

the following achievements:

A total of 257,084 tonnes of post-

consumer PVC were recycled across Europe.

The UK contributed 48,554 tonnes of

post-consumer PVC, of which 25,479 tonnes

were directly from post-consumer windows

and profiles. This annual tonnage represents

over one million post-consumer PVC window

frames which have been diverted from landfill.

This recyclate has been re-extruded into new

profiles.11

81.8% reduction of Pb stabilisers was

achieved in 2011 (compared to 2000) with a

complete phase-out by 2015 on target.

An independent monitoring committee

has been established to ensure the

transparency and accountability of the VinylPlus

commitment.

P2 - Dissemination

of PVC Carbon

Footprinting and

Sustainability Tool

Tool freely available for

downloading

BPF The CCaLC tool has been used by the industry to

undertake calculations which have helped quantify

how the environmental footprint of vinyl products

can be significantly lowered by the incorporation

of recycled PVC, as well as to calculate the

environmental impacts with the use of different

additives.

During 2013 a request will be made to the

VinylPlus Sustainable Additives team for the tool

to be updated with raw materials for which the

industry currently does not have adequate data,

including stabilisers and plasticisers

The tool continues to be downloaded with 192

downloads to date specifically for the PVC tool

and 3,046 downloads for the main CCaLC

software.

More details are available from the link given

below.12

10 Originally this action was ‘Post vinyl 2010 – Vinyl 2020’. VinylPlus is the updated name. 11 http://www.bpf.co.uk/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleUid=39d8689b-f681-4e04-b427-202c98d22605 12 www.ccalc.org.uk/pvcsustainability.php

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6. Aluminium for Future Generations

The global nature of the aluminium value chain means that fostering sustainability within the

aluminium industry and its products requires international collaboration. The key

organisations involved in the work include the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), the

European Aluminium Association (EAA) and the International Aluminium Institute (IAI).

In order to manage environmental impacts, there is a need to measure and report them accurately.

Hence the IAI produces an annual global sustainability report and five-yearly life cycle inventory report,

detailing latest performance data. At the regional level, the EAA has produced its latest ‘Environmental

Profile Report’13, which presents the development of robust European Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)

datasets for the production of primary and recycled aluminium ingots and for the transformation of

aluminium ingots into semi-finished products, i.e. sheet, foil and extruded products. Further

development of global and European LCI data for aluminium, and their use in accessible and

transparent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modelling is a priority for this sector (Table 6, Action A1).

The aluminium industry, through the IAI in conjunction with leading Associations, including CAB, has

established a number of sustainability objectives (including energy and greenhouse gas emissions

reduction), summarised in Table 4. Progress relating to the objectives is reported annually by the

global industry, including China (which represents over 40% of aluminium production), and will be

disseminated widely to those in the aluminium windows supply chain (Table 6, Action A2).

Around 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in productive use, as a result of high recycling rates

(between 92 and 98% for architectural aluminium; see http://greenbuilding.world-aluminium.org) and

the long lifetime of aluminium products, particularly in the building and construction sector. Recycling

aluminium requires only 5% of the energy needed to produce aluminium from bauxite, which means it

has a high value as a recyclate. This high value should ensure that similarly high recycling rates are

maintained

13 http://www.alueurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/EAA_Environmental_profile_report-May081.pdf

18

Table 4 Aluminium sector existing sustainable development objectives and initiatives

Impact IAI Existing

Objectives

Latest Performance

Energy used in raw

material production

10% reduction in

smelter electrical

energy per tonne

aluminium by 2010,

from 1990

8% reduction in AC electrical energy globally 1990–2011

http://world-aluminium.org/statistics/primary-aluminium-

smelting-energy-intensity/#linegraph

10% reduction in

energy use per tonne

of alumina by 2020,

from 2006

8% reduction, 2006–2011

http://world-aluminium.org/statistics/metallurgical-alumina-

refining-bayer-process-energy-intensity/#linegraph

Other impacts of raw

material

Elimination of

perfluorocarbon (PFC)

in the long term; 50%

per tonne reduction

on 2006 baseline by

2020

25% reduction, 2006–20110

2011 Anode Effect Survey14

Increase the

proportion of bauxite

mining land

rehabilitated annually

Annual rehabilitation area of existing bauxite mining areas is

equal to the average annual area being opened up. In this

steady state environment, bauxite mining is ‘land area footprint

neutral’ and sustainable.

4th Sustainable Bauxite Mining Report: http://world-

aluminium.org/media/filer_public/2013/01/15/none_23

The Aluminium Story: Bauxite & Alumina: http://bauxite.world-

aluminium.org

End of life impacts Report regularly on

global recycling

performance

11 million tonnes recovered globally from used products in

2011 :

The Aluminium Story: Recycling http://recycling.world-

aluminium.org

Recycling of aluminium

cans to reach 75% by

2015

73% recycling rate reached globally by 2011:

http://packaging.world-aluminium.org

The Aluminium Story: Packaging: http://packaging.world-

aluminium.org

14 http://world-

aluminium.org/media/filer_public/2013/01/15/the_aluminium_industrys_global_perfluorocarbon_gas_emissions_reduction_programmeresults_of_the_2011_anode_effect_survey_1.pdf

19

Table 5 Aluminium sector new sustainable development objectives and latest performance

Impact IAI New Objectives Latest Performance

Energy used in raw material

production

5% reduction in smelter electrical energy per

tonne aluminium by 2020 from 2006.

3% reduction in DC electrical

energy, 2006–2011.

http://world-

aluminium.org/statistics/primary-

aluminium-smelting-energy-

intensity/#linegraph

Other impacts of raw

material

35% reduction globally in fluoride emissions

per tonne aluminium by 2020 from 2006.

Bauxite residue management objectives:

Assured integrity of current residue

storage facilities;

Provision of industry-based support;

Best practice management;

Conclusion of bauxite residue solids

disposal to marine & aquatic

environment;

Improved technology.

24% reduction, 2006–2011.

The Aluminium Story: Primary

Production: http://primary.world-

aluminium.org

20

Table 6 Sustainable actions for Aluminium

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Status

A1 - Update and

publicise Aluminium’s

generic

Environmental

Profiles

Update Aluminium’s

generic Environmental

Profiles (BRE) using

data supplied by

EAA and IAI.

CAB Aluminium’s generic environmental profiles were

updated in the BRE Green Guide online on 8

August 2012.

Aluminium powder coated windows can now

achieve the following ratings:

‘A+’ Rating (for all commercial windows

< 0.9kg/m)

‘A’ Rating (for all commercial windows <

1.5kg/m)

‘A’ Rating (for all domestic windows <

1.08kg/m)

‘B’ Rating (for all domestic windows

>1.08kg/m).

Ratings can be viewed on the BRE Green Guide

website:

http://www.bre.co.uk/greenguide/podpage.jsp?id=

2126.

A2 - Update Defra

on progress in global

sustainable

development

commitments &

global and European

LCI data

Report on progress of

global actions to meet

energy, waste and

greenhouse gas

emission reduction

objectives in the

Sustainable

Development Indicator

report produced by

IAI every year. Raise

awareness in the UK.

CAB See key progress updates in

Table 4: Existing Objectives & Table 5: New

Objectives.

A full global primary aluminium LCI data update

(2010) will be available as part of ecoInvent

version 3 http://www.ecoinvent.org/ecoinvent-v3/

European LCI data (2010), including downstream

processes will be available in 2013 from the

European Aluminium Association:

http://www.alueurope.eu/

The International Aluminium Institute has launched

the full suite of Aluminium Story websites, with

statistical and case study information on the

production, markets and use and recycling of

aluminium products

(www.thealuminiumstory.com)

21

7. Timber Resource Efficiency

For timber the efficient use of the material and the monitoring of improved use of resources has

continued. The use of engineered timber (finger-jointed and laminated) components has been helped

by the introduction of a standard range of sizes, developed in conjunction with the Wood Window

Alliance, and made available through an increased number of distributors. The range has now been

promoted to the WWA, BWF and TTF members. TREP, the Timber Resource and Efficiency

Partnership, has also helped in contributing to a study into the feasibility of collection hubs for wood

waste, now published by WRAP.

Table 7 Sustainable actions for timber windows

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Status

T1 - Progress against

Joinery Resource

Efficiency Action Plan

targets and actions

Progress reporting linked to

the joinery sector and

windows will help steer and

improve timber resource

efficiency in the timber

windows sector.

BWF / TREP The custodian of the Joinery Resource

Efficiency Action Plan is the Timber

Resource Efficiency Partnership (TREP), a

partnership of representatives from

across the timber industry.

Activities undertaken in the past 12

months include:

1. Work to establish the feasibility of

wood waste collection hubs in

conjunction with CO2Sense and

TRADA;

2. Evidence gathering and input into

the Defra call for evidence on wood

waste landfill restrictions in order to

draw up options aimed at ensuring

that wood waste is managed in a

way that delivers the best outcome

for both the environment and the

economy;

3. The original ‘Timber Accord’ has

been widened to become the UK

Timber Industry Associations’

Accord and will encourage greater

cooperation on a series of timber-

related projects across the industry.

22

Table 7 Sustainable actions for timber windows (continued)

Action Implementation Lead

Coordinator

Status

T2 - Efficient use of

timber

Further increase the use of

finger jointing and laminated

sections, computer aided

cutting and material

optimisation. Key elements

could include:

Working group

established to steer work;

Cost–benefit analysis and

case study development;

Capacity building and

awareness raising; and

Training and mentoring

business support.

BWF The working group set up to steer this

work under the auspices of the Wood

Window Alliance has completed its

project.

A range of engineered components suited

to window manufacture has been

introduced through a number of national

timber and builders merchants, and the

range increased to include vertical sliding

sash window sections

T3 - Reduce

hazardous and non-

recyclable paint

packaging waste

Window manufacturers should

be advised by BWF to use

water-based paints and

coatings. Also, develop

methodology and scheme to

reduce the impact of

contaminated and/or non-

returnable packaging of paint.

First stage is to determine

current practices with window

manufacturers and paint

suppliers, and to see what is

possible in terms of best

practice.

BWF With more and more timber windows

being supplied fully finished and factory

assembled, and a new standard (BS

644:2012), there is more consistency in

choice of paint and efficient mechanisms

to deal with packaging waste are

becoming more commonplace.

BWF is, through the Wood Industry

Training Forum (WIT Forum), currently

producing a training qualification to

embrace painting and spraying. In addition

to core competency, resource efficiency

and sustainable practices will be a focus.

This is anticipated to be launched in 2013. The issue of reducing paint packaging

waste is to be completed.

23

Appendix A: Windows Supply Chain Diagrams

Flat Glass Production

PVC Supply Chain

24

Timber Supply Chain

The Aluminium Product life cycle

Source: European Aluminium Association

25

Appendix B: Windows Sustainability Partnership

Constitution

Windows Sustainability Partnership: Constitution

Purpose

The purpose of the Windows Sustainability Partnership (WSP) is to improve the sustainability of windows through

both practical action and through influencing and partnering with other members within the supply chain both

upstream and downstream.

The WSP recognises the critical role that windows can play in reducing the overall environmental impact of

buildings throughout their lifetime, as well as the sustainability of windows themselves. The WSP will use their

combined knowledge to develop and implement practical and coordinated strategies for sustainability.

This includes economic and social as well as environmental impacts.

Membership

Membership of the WSP is open to any company or trade association whose members are involved in the

production, distribution, installation and disposal of windows as well as the relevant government departments,

regulatory agencies and delivery bodies.

Chair and Deputy Chair

The Partnership will appoint a Chair and Deputy Chair. The post of Chair and Deputy Chair will be for one year

only and will alternate between industry and government/regulators.

Secretariat

The Secretariat will be responsible for maintaining the list of WSP members and their contact details, of liaising

with the Chair to decide the agenda of meetings, for circulating relevant papers and minutes of meetings.

Communications

The Partnership will meet at minimum twice a year to discuss relevant sustainability issues relating to windows,

and the implementation, monitoring and review of the Windows Sustainability Action Plan. At least one meeting per

year will be dedicated to a ‘Review of the Action Plan’ to capture not only progress but the need for actions to be

added or amended. This will benefit from work in advance of the review meeting to update evidence and provide

a quantification of progress, as applicable, for each action.

ii