What Happens To Recycled Plastic Bottles

Nowadays most of us like to think we're doing our bit to help the environment. Often that may mean a compromise between what we really want and what we think we ought to want. And when it comes to upgrading our home, frequently eco-friendly alternatives can end up costing us far more than traditional 'non-green' solutions.

Happily, this is not the case when it comes to plastic roof tiling: because plastic roof tiles provide a whole host of benefits for you, your home and the environment.

Leading the way in sustainable roofing is the Envirotile - made exclusively from recycled plastics previously destined for landfill sites. As far as the environment is concerned, the less waste that ends up being buried underground the better. Therefore it is vital that we all recycle products and materials wherever possible.

As well as cutting down on landfill waste, there are numerous other benefits for today's eco-conscious consumer in choosing an Envirotile roof:
The energy used in creating Envirotile is significantly less than with traditional roofing materials. Plastic roof tiles are easier to fit than conventional tiles, and because you can determine precisely the amount of materials required for any one project, there is no wastage.
Plastic roof tiles weigh around 80 per cent less than a traditional concrete tile, so they're easier to lift, align and install. It also means they cost less in fuel terms to transport to site - another vital environmental consideration. Yet although they're significantly lighter than traditional roofing materials, they are extremely flexible and durable; able to withstand the toughest weather conditions. Plus they are fire resistant tested to BS476-3.

Another benefit to the consumer is that plastic roofing reflects around 90 per cent of UV rays, lowering the absorption of heat into the property and effectively reducing cooling costs.

Choosing the right materials for the job can make a huge impact in the areas that matter. In the case of Envirotile, you can improve your home, do your bit for the environment and save money at the same time. What's more, you can view your Envirotile roof as an investment as you will see ongoing savings reflected in your fuel costs. For your peace of mind, your Envirotile roof comes with a minimum 20 year warranty too.

Given that there is an ongoing requirement for plastics in the construction industry, coupled with the need to balance that requirement to comply with the latest Government legislation, it makes sense for house builders and contractors to utilise recycled and recyclable materials wherever practicable.

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) website states that:

'All plastics can be recycled, however the extent to which they are recycled depends upon both economic and logistic factors. As a valuable and finite resource, the optimum use for most plastic after its first use, is to be recycled, preferably into a product that can be recycled again.'
The benefits of recycling plastics are:

Less used plastic going to landfill.
Less oil used for plastic production.
Less energy consumed.

Where previously, house builders, roofing contractors and roof tile suppliers may have steered away from using eco-friendly alternatives to traditional slate and concrete, due to performance issues of strength and reliability, now that choice has become significantly more attractive, thanks to the invention of Envirotile - a roofing tile with the greenest credentials, which radically outperforms traditional roofing materials.

Envirotile, the UK's first commercially-available roof tile made entirely from recycled plastics, is five times stronger than conventional roofing tiles. Yet it is 80 per cent lighter, making it easier to manoeuvre and align. As you would imagine, this drastically reduces the risks associated with manual handling at height - a boon for roofing contractors. And of course, if any materials should accidentally be dropped from height, plastic tiling reduces the hazardous consequences for those on the ground.

In addition to the major Health & Safety advantages, on average, Envirotile is estimated to reduce a contractor's fitting time by 25 per cent - a considerable time-saving in the working day.

As well as making every roofing job less labour intensive, Envirotile effectively reduces the carbon footprint of every building project the contractor undertakes. And these days, with more consumers demanding 'green credentials' that's an impressive boast for your company's marketing literature.

In addition, Envirotile will help you meet the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Envirotile is easy to fit, economic to employ - and of course - aesthetically pleasing on the eye.

With less chance of breakages and no wastage of materials, Envirotile is the perfect roofing solution for today's eco-conscious house builder, concerned with leaving a lasting impression.

What exactly do we mean by the phrase 'carbon footprint'?

In its simplest terms, a carbon footprint is the sum total of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organisation, event, product or person. Greenhouse gases are emitted through a variety of sources including roads, transport, land activity, manufactured goods, materials, buildings and services.

For ease of comparison and reporting, carbon footprint is often stated in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide (or CO2) emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels.

So how does all this relate to your roof?

Your roof's carbon footprint is made up from the sum of its components including the production of the raw materials, delivery to the factory, manufacture, distribution and installation.

Carbon footprint also relates to the performance of your roof once installed, and consideration must be given as to what will happen at the end of your roof's natural life, for example, whether the materials are suitable for recycling. It is also judged on its ability to utilise renewable sources of energy such as rain, wind, or solar power.

The 'greenest' roofs (and therefore the most eco-friendly), are those which impact least on the environment in terms of their construction and ongoing performance.

Taking natural slate as an example, the raw materials themselves are excavated from the earth. However, up to 95 per cent of the excavated material ends up as waste because it is not suitable for purpose. Another important consideration is that these customary roofing materials often travel thousands of miles before reaching their final destination, impacting harshly on our natural environment.

The fact is, these types of traditional roofing materials cannot compete with modern recyclable tiling products in terms of eco-friendliness. As you would expect, roof tiles which are recyclable and which use low-energy production methods, require short transportation in terms of miles and offer a long and useful life, score highest in the 'green' stakes

As well as being popular with building professionals because of their ease of installation, owners of recyclable roofs love them for their maintenance-free qualities, exceptional design standards and visual appeal, as well the savings they make on their utility bills.

If you're looking to upgrade your property's roof and you're looking for something that's as easy on the planet as it is on your budget, here are some options you might like to consider:

Green Roof

This is a unique environmental initiative for improving outdoor air quality while enhancing urban landscapes and communities. A green roof is an alternative roofing concept which can be achieved by growing a low-lying, specifically designed roof garden. Green roofs also absorb solar radiation and carbon dioxide, making them a safer environment for the property's inhabitants, while increasing your home's market value

Rubber Shingles

Using the latest technology, plastic bags, rubber tyres and other recycled materials, are transformed into roofing which is durable and long-lasting. Not only are recycled tyre roof shingles considerably lighter and cheaper than the standard roofing materials, they are excellent insulators, can withstand 80 mph winds and can complement your home's character perfectly.

Recycled Metal Roofing

Metal roofing, otherwise known as a 'Cool Roof', is another excellent example of alternative roofing for the environmentally conscious. These steel roofs are a great choice for home owners in hotter climes as they can make a considerable difference to energy bills. And metal roofing naturally repels light rays reducing the overall indoor temperature of the home. The amount of recyclable material in a metal roof can vary considerably according to the product manufacturer, so it's worth shopping around to find the most eco-conscious solution for you.

Solar Power PV Shingles

Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are solar cells which harness the power of the sun without the need for bulky solar panels. Resembling typical asphalt shingles, solar shingles first became commercially available in 2005 and are popular for their aesthetic appeal as well as their functionality.
And a couple of Eco options you possibly hadn't considered:
In Pernambuco, Brazil, toothpaste tubes are recycled into eco-friendly roof tiles. The aluminium and plastic tubes are crushed by machines, combined with resins and 'baked' at high temperatures, to produce light and water-resistant boards and sheets that are used as building materials.

Some forty thousand tiles are manufactured monthly, each one made from 1,000 empty toothpaste tubes. The tiles are highly weather resistant and more cost-effective than tiles made of clay, steel or aluminium. They do not conduct heat and are less noisy than metal in inclement weather!

The UK's first nappy-recycling plant opened in Birmingham in 2010. Almost three billion disposable nappies end up in landfill sites each year and the plastic from this unlikely source is now transformed into roof tiles, decking and cladding!