Swish Building Products' pioneering low maintenance, low CO₂, recycled PVC rainwater system has been short-listed in the National Recycling Awards 2010 Best Product category.

Bringing thousands of tons of end of life material back into use the rainwater and guttering system is manufactured from 84% recycled material. This includes old post-consumer material that has reached the end of its life.

And because they are manufactured from recycled material, rainwater pipes and gutters from Swish produce 70% less CO₂ than would be created in manufacture from virgin material.

This commitment to sustainable innovation in PVC-U building technology was recognised in Swish’s short-listing, one of four companies listed in the Best Recycled Product Category.

Attended by more than 500 guests from across a wide range of sectors last year, the award ceremony this year will be held at the Hilton, Park Lane on July 15th 2010.

Greg Wilde, Swish Building Products said: “The short-listing in itself is a significant achievement. We’re working hard to develop sustainable products and to challenge one or two misconceptions along the way.

“By manufacturing a rainwater system that effectively marries a recycled core and virgin skin we’re able to deliver a highly efficient, low maintenance and long life product with minimal environmental impact.”

The new guttering range is available in round, square, deepflow and ogee profiles. These and down pipes have a two-tone appearance featuring a grey core and co-extruded outer skin to enhance the external appearance and to aid colour matching. This technology gives it exactly the same weather resistance and longevity as products manufactured from virgin material.

The system also features a full range of joints, corners, outlets and brackets and is available in White, Black and Brown, is BS Kitemarked and also manufactured under ISO 9001 quality management certification.

The system which is already commercially available has been successfully trialed in a number of projects across sectors.

This includes a pioneering project to see how far retrofitting could take a Manchester semi-detached Victorian property towards carbon neutrality. Delivered by urban design and sustainability specialist URBED, the scheme has achieved an 80 per cent cut in the property’s CO₂ emissions, achieving national recognition as an example of best practice.

For more information on Swish’s full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call (01827) 317 200.