Construction BUSINESS

Grafton Merchanting, Ireland’s leading building merchanting company has announced that it has joined the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC). The move forms part of Grafton Merchanting’s ongoing commitment to sustainability at a national and local level. Grafton Merchanting is the first reseller to join the IGBC which was set up in 2011 to create a sustainable built environment.

In addition to working with the IGBC, Grafton Merchanting has put several initiatives in place to help reduce waste, use more sustainable materials and reduce energy in its branches. An internal Environmental Committee with representatives from across the Grafton Merchanting business including area managers, marketing and health & safety has been set up to help drive these initiatives.

As part of its ongoing sustainability agenda, over 90% of branches have now switched to environmentally friendly LED lighting and combined with movement and light sensors, has reduced energy usage by approximately 30%. All branches also have segregated waste streams and, in a bid, to reduce used building materials going into landfill, the recycling of timber, steel and plastics is promoted in branches. WEEE recycling is also available in selected branches nationwide.

Recognising the need to provide the construction industry with more sustainable materials, all timber in Grafton Merchanting branches is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is an international not-for-profit organisation which promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests. It also stocks a host of sustainable-friendly building solutions including solar panels and solar thermal technology products, rainwater harvesting and heat recovery ventilation systems, biomass heating and air source heat pumps.

Grafton Merchanting is also working closely with its suppliers to look at how packaging can be reduced, and more environmentally friendly alternatives can be used.

Patrick Atkinson, CEO, Grafton Merchanting, commented: “We are delighted to announce that we are joining the IGBC as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability. We are the first reseller to come on board and we look forward to working with the IGBC and its partners to help realise its vision of creating a sustainable built environment. As Ireland’s leading supplier of building materials, we have an important role to play in helping the construction sector become more sustainable and we have initiatives in place such as stocking sustainable materials and products.”

“We’re also looking at our own branches. While we have made good strides in reducing emissions, we know there’s still more to do. In 2019 we will create a detailed carbon footprint for each of our branches to allow us to focus on improving performance on a local level.”

Pat Barry, CEO, IGBC, said: “We are pleased to welcome Grafton Merchanting as our newest member of the IGBC. As an organisation we our focussed on creating a more sustainable built environment and the addition of Grafton Merchanting as a member is another important step in helping us achieve this. We look forward to supporting Grafton Merchanting on their various sustainability initiatives over the next year.”

CAPTION:

Pat Barry, CEO of the Irish Green Building Council, and Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Grafton Merchanting ROI.