One size doesn’t fit all in Lafarge plasterboard recycling initiative

Lafarge Plasterboard has launched a new waste management programme to encourage the recycling of plasterboard.

The initiative involves offering a waste collection service tailored to suit the size of the job. Customers have a choice of bag or skip collection or a wait-and-load service using manned collection vehicles, with a website available to aid selection. A dedicated telephone service – Wasteline – has also been set up to provide advice and guidance.

“The way we have structured the service recognises the fact that it is not just the largest developers and contractors that wish to build in a sustainable way,” said Lafarge spokesman Bob Curd.

“As well as the needs of the big schemes, we wanted to make it possible even for our smallest customers to dispose of waste plasterboard in an environmentally friendly way by offering cost-effective solutions.

Contractors are required to segregate board off-cuts in the bag or skip provided, or load them into manned collection vehicles. The cost of the service is calculated to reflect collection schedules and volumes.

The company says materials collected in this way will be used either in the production of new plasterboard and other applications for used gypsum or recycled.

[Contract Journal, 8 November 2006, p13]