Greenwashing has become a key word for those organisations that purport to care about the environment – yet their portfolio of products does not evidence this. Consumers are understandably seeing this activity as some form of marketing spin to encourage unwary customers of making a purchase based upon dubious claims.
In a recent press release, the Green Claims Code the Competition and Markets Authority have made it clear that all such environmental claims comply with the law. This will take effect in the New Year.
There are some recent examples of companies using paper straws to appear green, yet after further investigation it was found that those straws could not be recycled and went straight to landfill!
In the building industry, one of the greatest ways to be as green as possible is through sustainability. While the act of cutting down trees to create building products is not ideal – sourcing materials from sustainable forest ensures a controlled process between the ecological and the economical.
However, the quality of design and careful low volume manufacturing means those products built by a company such as E-spaces Design and Create Ltd. are built to last. If a product has been created to last, and the overall lifespan from its construction to end of life has been carefully considered, its sustainability and eco-friendly elements will be assured.
Take for instance the external cladding used in each build. Using recycled and recyclable composites with a minimum 15-year warranty, their e-Lodge design is a perfect example of an all year-round liveable space. Even the metal roof (which is recyclable) has a 40-year weatherproof warranty! A product that is built to last with high-quality materials prevents additional costs to replace – both economic and ecological. All of their designs can be built onto steel box frame which can be recycled and lasts for decades.
The design and style is also incredibly important. On an outdoor office design or garden room, having a high depth of insulation designed into the build creates a more energy efficient space. Oversized double-glazed (or triple-glazed) windows and doors allow more light and warmth into the build which reduces the need for additional lighting and heating. Each build is also designed so that in time, the cladding can be given a facelift to create a product that looks new, without requiring the production of a whole new unit again.
Companies such as E-spaces Design and Create Ltd. also use a high-level of technology in their design and manufacturing process. This creates cutting templates from sheet materials that are carefully considered to leave very little waste and prevents mistakes being made in the workshop that can lead to significant wastage over time.
While the above certainly reduces the carbon and energy footprint of a manufacturer, purchasing sustainable products like the e-Den provides added resale value. Apart from the obvious benefits of creating a highly durable space that is high-quality with minimum maintenance, the build itself can be repositioned or completely re-homed. The ability to create such high-quality, long-lasting designs that can be transferred from owner to owner or from house to house is exceptional.
The ability to produce somewhere to live or work in a sustainable build is now highly desirable. At a time when consumers are increasingly aware of the cost of energy and materials in their pockets, and to the environment, only the highest quality and sustainable buildings will be good enough.
