SureSet is ISO 14001 certified and takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. It’s been reported that humans have produced 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic since the 1950s with the majority ending up in landfill or oceans. Clearly things must change, and everyone can do their bit.

SureSet are always looking for ways to improve their processes to minimise waste, and they’re conscious that one of their biggest non reusable items are their resin tubs.

Plastic tubs and their use for them have a negative impact on the environment by their production methods, by way of transportation to SureSet’s premises and then onto sites. Haulage is a major user of energy, and burns most of the world's petroleum. This creates air pollution, including nitrous oxides and particulates, and is a significant contributor to global warming through emission of carbon dioxide for sector.

Another issue is the disposal of these tubs once the resin has been mixed. Although the resin is harmless once cured and will have no adverse effects on nature and the environment, once the tubs are used they can’t simply be recycled. SureSet pay to get them taken away as commercial waste to get disposed of.

This issue has been one of SureSet’s priorities for a number of years and many ideas have been passed around and tested for viability. In early 2017, creating a vehicle to transport the resins to site in bulk where we could then dispense and mix in situ was discussed. This had the potential to eliminate the tubs from the company’s processes entirely.

In September of last year the project came together. The van transports enough resin to install 400m², which is more than enough to cover most residential projects SureSet installs. Over the course of the year this could save the company in the region of £25,000.

Although this doesn’t completely solve the problem, it has allowed the installation team to significantly reduce their waste. The project has proved to be a great success, and the company looks to implement the vehicles on a larger scale in the future.