Sustainability has become a key concern across the tiling industry, requiring coordinated efforts from manufacturers, suppliers, customers and installers. This year has seen growing activity in this area, as environmentally-friendly projects such as recycling and take-back schemes incline and companies increasingly make sustainability a core part of their business strategy and message.
Now that COP28 has ended this week in Expo City, Dubai (30th November-12th December), it is particularly significant to reflect back on our global target of limiting average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as set out in Paris in COP21, and acknowledge how individual and corporate actions work to develop the bigger picture. The UK’s built environment, made up of residential and commercial buildings, represents 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. To address this issue, it is important to ensure that new buildings and renovations strive to be long lasting and energy efficient.
TTA is leading the way for the tiling industry, having established a Sustainability Working Group to incorporate sustainable values into its strategic plan to raise and promote tiles and tiling standards. In 2023, the Working Group’s output includes the addition of a new section to TTA’s website, providing useful sustainability information and advice, and a press release promoting the ethical sourcing of tiles. TTA invites members to reach out with any questions or to get involved at membership@tile.org.uk.
At TTA Awards 2023, UltraTile won the Best Environmental Initiative Award for partnering with Planet Mark, using accurate and qualified data to identify and measure their carbon footprint across Scopes 1 and 2, and actively working towards Scope 3 as part of their Net Zero Carbon Commitment journey. Additionally, Topps Tiles plc were awarded Highly Commended in Best Environmental Initiative for Regenr8™ – a range of single-part, flexible standard and rapid setting adhesives for wall and floor tiles specially formulated from an in-house composition of recycled waste material, which replaces natural extracted sand.
These examples are just some highlights that indicate how the tiling industry is developing its sustainability position this year. With the growing buzz surrounding sustainability, we are likely to see even more active conversations and projects around sustainability in 2024.
