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How The Newton Recycling Service Sets New Standards for Sustainability in Construction

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Sustainability is becoming an increasingly pressing matter within the construction industry. With rising concerns over carbon emissions, energy consumption and the depletion of natural resources, construction companies must implement sustainable practices in order to reduce our environmental impact.

Through pioneering recycling initiatives, eco-friendly product developments, and a commitment to environmental protection, we are proud to be setting new standards for sustainability in structural waterproofing.

The Newton Recycling Service: A Game Changer for the Industry

In 2017, we pioneered the first closed-loop waste management and recycling service in the UK waterproofing industry. Now having recycled over 26 tonnes of material, the initiative addresses the problem of the waste that is generated from waterproofing membranes and product packaging, providing a practical, eco-friendly solution for contractors and construction companies.

How Does Newton’s Recycling Service Work?

The process of installing waterproofing products inevitably generates off-cuts, unusable packaging and waste materials. However, rather than allowing these to contribute to landfill waste, our recycling service ensures that they are collected, reprocessed and recycled. The service operates by:

Collection of Waste Materials

Thanks to our own fleet of delivery vehicles, Newton’s specialist drivers collect membrane off-cuts and empty packaging from our nationwide network of Newton Specialist Basement Contractors (NSBCs). These collections coincide with deliveries of new product, thereby reducing the need for separate journeys and minimising carbon emissions.

Sorting and Recycling

The collected materials are returned to our headquarters, where they are processed and prepared for recycling.

Reintegration into the Industry

The prepared materials are sent to a third-party plastics reprocessor, where they are manufactured into new construction products and reintroduced into the supply chain. In doing so, we are contributing to the use of recycled and renewable materials in future building projects.

The Environmental and Commercial Benefits for Contractors

Participating in Newton’s sustainable construction initiative offers numerous benefits to contractors and construction companies:

  • Reduction of waste disposal costs – Contractors can lower expenses related to waste disposal, improving their bottom line.
  • Minimised carbon footprint – By recycling waterproofing membranes, contractors help lower the gross annual carbon emissions associated with their construction projects.
  • Enhanced corporate social responsibility – Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability in construction aligns contractors with global and UK environmental regulations, which is increasingly important to stakeholders.
  • Compliance with Green Building Standards – The initiative contributes to green certifications such as BREEAM, helping to create sustainable buildings that meet the Future Homes Standard.

Newton’s Commitment to Sustainable Product Development

Beyond recycling, we are dedicated to producing sustainable building materials that reduce energy consumption and promote resource efficiency. This is evident in our latest Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for the HydroBond 402 and HydroBond 403 external waterproofing membranes.

What Makes These Products More Sustainable?

Newton’s EPD-certified products further contribute to the reduction of the environmental impact of waterproofing systems by:

  • Minimising fossil fuel usage during production
  • Extending material lifespans
  • Reducing amount of waste, and
  • Promoting energy efficiency

Overall, these EPD certified products ensure less energy consumption while supporting sustainable building materials and responsible use of resources.

The Impact of Newton’s Recycling Service on the Built Environment

Since its launch, our waste management programme has made a positive impact on green construction. Some of the key outcomes include:

  • Reduction in landfill waste, ensuring less energy is used in waste disposal.
  • Significant carbon footprint reductions, as the recycling initiative limits unnecessary material production.
  • Greater use of sustainable materials, incorporating renewable materials into new building projects.
  • Improved quality, as more environmentally responsible materials contribute to healthier and more sustainable buildings.

The Essential Role of Sustainability in Construction

As the UK government continues to push for sustainable development, construction companies play an essential role in fostering sustainable construction methods. By integrating sustainable practices such as recycling and EPD-certified construction materials, we are helping to shape a construction sector that is willing to change its approach to environmental sustainability and long-term performance.

National Waterproofing Specialist Celebrates Milestone 175th Anniversary

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Newton Waterproofing, one of the country’s leading suppliers of waterproofing products, is this year celebrating its 175th anniversary, marking an impressive milestone for the company.

With branches in Tonbridge, Kent, and Hunslet, Leeds, Newton Waterproofing boasts an extensive range of high-quality products for architects, contractors, developers, groundworkers and builders across the country. Over the years they have also been involved in numerous high profile waterproofing projects, from the London School of Economics, the Houses of Parliament and the Royal College of Music in London, to the Hotel Football and the Arndale Centre in Manchester.

Now with a nationwide, next-day delivery service on their own fleet of vehicles, Newton Waterproofing came from humble beginnings.

Established by John Newton in South London in 1848, the company started out as a specialist supplier of plasterers’ hair, and in 1931, expanded by pioneering the air gap method of damp proofing with the design and production of the first physical damp proof membrane, ‘Newtonite’.

Over five million square metres of the original Newtonite membrane were installed in the UK, including helping to create dry, hospitable housing across post-war London.

By the 1980s, Newton had launched another first, a HDPE membrane with a mesh surface that could be plastered directly onto – since then, Newlath has continued to be the industry-leading damp proof membrane, with over two million square metres installed across the country.

This was followed, in 1986, by the development of Newton System 500, the flagship basement waterproofing solution and the first cavity drain waterproofing system of its kind, designed to be installed internally in any below-ground structure.

By 2003, the company had implemented the first approved contractor network for structural waterproofing, meaning that Newton Specialist Basement Contractors (NSBCs) could take design liability on waterproofing projects and provide peace of mind to designers and clients.

Due to an expanding product range and growing staff, in 2012 Newton Waterproofing opened its head office in Tonbridge, Kent, and in 2020 formed the Newton Specification Partnership. This nationwide network of approved architects and specifiers works directly with Newton to provide high quality, technically sound waterproofing solutions for any basement or below-ground structure.

Another big milestone for the company came last year, with the opening of Newton’s northern branch and distribution centre in Leeds, giving customers across the North and Midlands quicker and easier access to its range of products and technical services.

The company is also committed to professional development, providing extensive training on waterproofing best practice through its dedicated School of Waterproofing, and has been running its award-winning Recycling Service, the first closed-loop recycling scheme in the UK waterproofing industry, since 2017.

Newton Waterproofing Managing Director Warren Muschialli comments: “Newton Waterproofing has a very long and rich history, and to reach 175 years is an incredible milestone for the company. From a small start-up business back in the 1840s, Newton has evolved and grown into the UK’s leading independent waterproofing suppliers, and we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come.

“We’re particularly proud of the recent opening of our Leeds distribution centre, which has significantly expanded our reach and allowed us to better serve customers across the whole of the country, while also contributing to the city’s local economy.

“We owe a huge thanks to all our partners and valued customers who have joined us over the years for their continued support, and we very much look forward to many more successful decades ahead.”

Visit www.newtonwaterproofing.co.uk.