A partnership approach to plasterboard waste management and recycling

A number of companies in the UK have developed alternatives to landfilling plasterboard waste. This case study describes how two companies are working in partnership to increase the quantity of plasterboard being diverted from landfill to recycling, and on into new construction products.

RTS Waste Management Ltd provides waste management services to the construction and demolition sector in the London and South East area. In late 2004 environmentally conscious clients had begun enquiring about the potential for the recycling and/or reuse of waste plasterboard. This prompted them to look for an alternative; the most suitable approach was to enter into a partnership with Roy Hatfield Ltd, a plasterboard waste processor in Rotherham, Yorkshire.

RTS Waste Management Ltd provide collection services for segregating plasterboard using skips, roll-on-off containers or wheelie bins on construction and demolition sites throughout their operating area. Collection systems on site are varied according to the need of the customer, taking into account space constraints on construction sites within dense urban areas. The collection units are provided for plasterboard only, but can be filled with any type of plasterboard, regardless of its origin and / or age. Once collected they bulk up the material at their Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) before transporting it to Roy Hatfield Ltd. It is then processed to produce recycled gypsum, which is either sold into markets, such as plasterboard manufacturing, or used as a constituent in their own quality assured colouring products for all forms of decorative and industrial coloured concrete.

The case study describes two examples of major decorative concrete projects which incorporated recycled gypsum:

• Alnwick Castle, where it was used in the construction of a grand water cascade sitting centrally in the gardens; and
• Selfridges at the Bull Ring, Birmingham, where it was used in the vibrant blue sweeping walkways and balconies.

The partnership between these two companies has been a “win-win” situation. RTS Waste Management Ltd can now offer their clients a specific collection service for waste plasterboard. This service is cost neutral or cheaper than disposal to landfill. It also means that Roy Hatfield Ltd now has a further reliable supplier of waste plasterboard, which increases their integrity of supply. This partnership provides environmental benefits by diverting waste plasterboard from landfill and processing it into recycled gypsum, which is being used to replace virgin raw materials.

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