Although the construction industry currently faces many challenges, it must not lose sight of the critical need to reduce its environmental footprint. As one of the UK’s leading sources of carbon emissions, sustainable materials procurement in this sector is needed
Construction is already taking significant steps towards reducing its carbon footprint and one area where transformation is happening is the procurement of construction materials. From looking at the sustainability credentials of the materials themselves, to the methods of procurement, leveraging technology when sourcing materials is making this process more sustainable, efficient, and transparent.
What does sustainable materials procurement look like?
Sustainable procurement considers the environmental, social, and ethical impact of materials throughout the entire supply chain. It aims to drive environmentally responsible practices, social responsibility, and long-term economic viability within the construction industry.
As well as seeking out more environmentally responsible products, such as recycled materials or high performance insulation, sustainable procurement also looks at methods of procurement that cause lower levels of harm to the environment. For example, looking to source materials from a merchant closer to the construction site to reduce the carbon emissions associated with transporting products to site.
How technology can assist sustainable materials procurement
Traditionally, the construction procurement process has lacked the capability to consider environmental factors, such as the carbon footprint associated with transporting materials over long distances. Finding accurate information on the sustainability credentials of the materials being purchased has also been difficult.
However, as new technologies become available, these challenges are beginning to lessen. Digital solutions can be used to make it easier to find suppliers local to site, assist in selecting more sustainable products, and reduce issues like overordering, wastage, and unnecessary deliveries.
Procurement platforms can enable better visibility into supplier options, allowing procurement teams to compare prices, delivery times, and sustainability metrics. This increased transparency helps in selecting suppliers who not only offer competitive prices but also align with the company’s sustainability goals.
Digital solutions can remove the need to manually search for suppliers and automate the submission of enquiries to suppliers who are local to site. By sourcing materials locally, companies can significantly reduce transportation distances, leading to lower carbon emissions and faster delivery times.
Technology can be used to assist in the selection of sustainable materials. Platforms could highlight suppliers and products with strong sustainability credentials. The ability to filter suppliers based on environmental certifications and sustainable practices makes it easier for procurement managers to select materials that meet sustainability targets.
Accurate digital records and real-time inventory management reduce the risk of overordering materials. Maintaining precise records of what has been ordered, delivered, and used, avoids excess inventory and reduces waste. This also helps in planning and forecasting future material needs more accurately, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary deliveries and associated emissions.
By using a centralised procurement system, procurement managers can consolidate orders and schedule deliveries more efficiently. This reduces the frequency of deliveries, cutting down on fuel consumption and emissions from transport vehicles.
Leveraging modern procurement technologies allows construction companies to improve their operational efficiency and make significant strides towards sustainability. The integration of digital tools in procurement processes is a crucial step in building a greener and more sustainable future for the construction industry.
Find local suppliers in just a few clicks with The Build Chain
Online materials procurement platform The Build Chain understands the challenges faced by subcontractors and housebuilders, which is why it includes features designed to assist with sustainable procurement.
With over 500 independent merchant branches on the platform, choosing local suppliers is easy. When an enquiry is submitted through The Build Chain, it’s delivered to merchants within a 30 mile radius of the site, ensuring materials don’t have to travel far.
When quotes are received through the platform, each one includes a sustainability percentage. This compares the carbon emissions that could be saved from the closest to the furthest supplier from the live site. It’s then possible to download reports that demonstrate a local supplier was chosen.
The Build Chain brings all procurement activity into one dashboard, giving contractors greater visibility of their procurement activities. This helps ensure that only what is needed is being purchased, reducing waste and unnecessary deliveries.
To learn more about The Build Chain and how it is supporting construction SMEs, visit www.thebuildchain.co.uk.
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
