A blog written by Vtec
Sustainability is an important consideration in projects today – no doubt it’s a key focus in many of your current projects.
It’s clearly a huge topic and is likely to impact your design and specification process on many levels, from choosing efficient M&E elements or renewable energy systems to the type of building materials and finishes selected.
By making it a priority to purchase raw materials and products from companies that use environmentally responsible manufacturing techniques, we are all contributing to operating more sustainably across the construction industry.
Making Spaces Matter – Sustainably and Responsibly
Planning ahead is vital. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimise waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance.
You’ll be balancing the best way to satisfy your clients’ requests for the project, taking the time and natural resources needed into consideration from the very early stages of the project.
What are the Vtec team doing to minimise their impact?
Vtec recognise the value of sourcing responsibly and do their utmost to follow sustainable practices as far as possible throughout the manufacturing process. For example:
- Vtec source raw materials locally where possible
- They collaborate to optimise deliveries to keep their carbon footprint as low as possible
- Vtec have energy efficient LED lighting in the warehouse and offices, with occupation sensors in ancillary areas
- By burning wood waste to heat the production and warehouse facilities
- Vtec use recycled boxes to send out samples and orders, and all their delivery pallets are made locally
- Vtec encourage the return of their samples after use – for reusing and recycling to minimise waste
Conscientious Design with Vtec Products
Vtec take great care across their product ranges to source and produce all products as responsibly as possible, so you can be confident in specifying Vtec. For example:
Slats, Beams and Acoustics
Vtec work with trusted partners to source their timber. Some products in this range, including MaxiBeam, SupaSlat and Supacoustic are available as FSC® Certified. Please talk to the Vtec team about your requirements prior to quotation and include relevant notes in your specifications.
Texture Panels – Brick, Stone, Timber and Concrete
Vtec Texture Panels are produced from original walls with exact natural textures and features. They contain in excess of 50% natural pigments, oxides and minerals. The large panel size achieves coverage quickly and easily.
Vtec’s technical team produce panel layouts to ensure the most effective use of panels for a smooth install with minimal waste and reduced cost. As they are less that half the weight of real material, that also means a reduced carbon footprint in shipment to site and no need for mortar mixing or wet trades. Panels are re-usable.
3D Panels
Made-to-measure panels produced with a new production method (patent pending!), which means there is very minimal movement of the panels that is traditionally inherent with this type of board. This means Vtec 3D panels sit much flatter than other panels of this type.
3D panels are also available as PEFC™ Certified. Please talk to the Vtec team about your requirements prior to quotation and include relevant notes in your specifications.
Vtec’s natural and tactile products provide impact in your environment, creating beautiful and inspiring spaces where end users will enjoy spending time.
Arctic Moss – Tiles, Islands and Spheres
Arctic Moss is a natural product that’s 100% reindeer moss, harvested from the forest floor. It’s carefully hand-picked by Vtec’s knowledgeable team in optimal picking conditions, with long intervals between harvesting, before being preserved and coloured with natural dyes.
It’s the perfect way to sustainably bring a touch of nature inside, without the ongoing upkeep of a living wall. The fact it’s available in 16 striking colours, as well as tiles, islands and spheres makes it ideal for a creative brief too!
Cork Wall Tiles
Cork is a natural and sustainable interior product. Harvested by hand in the most considerate manner, the bark of the Cork Oak tree is bound together to form highly decorative cork wall tiles. Vtec Cork Tiles are incredibly lightweight and designed for easy installation, alongside improving the acoustics of your space.
If sustainability is a particularly important element in your project or for your client, please speak to the team who will provide all the information you need to help you specify Vtec with ease and confidence
FSC® Certification
Vtec are FSC® certified (FSC® C160047).
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a global, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide. FSC defines standards based on agreed principles for responsible forest stewardship that are supported by environmental, social, and economic stakeholders.
Responsible sourcing of wood can benefit construction projects in many ways. Wood is more carbon and energy efficient in comparison to other building materials. However, wood can originate from unsustainable forest management practices which can undermine its benefits.
This risk can be mitigated by sourcing FSC certified wood. FSC is the world’s most trusted sustainable forest management solution that adds environmental, social and economic benefits to construction projects.
Some products in Vtec’s Slats, Beams and Acoustics range are available as FSC Certified. Please indicate your specific requirements prior to quotation.
PEFC™ Certification
Vtec are PEFC™ certified (INT-PEFC/COC-002119).
The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) care for forests globally and locally, working to protect forests by promoting sustainable forest management through certification.
This means we can all benefit from the many products that forests provide now, while ensuring these forests will be around for generations to come.
Some products in Vtec’s Slats, Beams and Acoustics range are available as PEFC Certified. Please indicate your specific requirements prior to quotation.
To discuss a specific project or certification requirement, please contact Vtec on 03307 00 00 30 or email sales@vtecgroup.co.uk and one of the Vtec team will be happy to help.
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