Sustainability is about ensuring that development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

It covers a wide range of issues, including:

• Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
• Effective protection of the environment
• Prudent use of natural resources
• Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.

Sustainability is of increasing importance to businesses, because it provides a focused way of addressing a range of economic, social and environmental issues that can help in the efficient, effective and responsible operation of those businesses.

Consumers are increasingly demanding more sustainable products; products that are made in the UK using local materials, products that are durable and have good whole-life performance.

"These difficult times for the UK building materials sector have brought sustainability into even greater focus and we should all be proud of the excellent example being set by the British Precast sector. When input costs rise to unprecedented levels and the future flow of orders comes under pressure our historic and current focus on the triple bottom line of economic, environmental and social factors helps us differentiate precast products from inferior alternatives. A changing pattern of demand, whether driven by legislation through planning or building regulations, or an increased focus on lower carbon solutions by consumers will only increase the opportunity for us if we continue to embrace our Sustainability Charter." 

British Precast President, David Sarti

The precast industry is already making progress on the four main sustainability issues identified in the Government's strategy for Sustainable Development:

Social progress: precast concrete is the material of choice for many urban regeneration schemes	Environmental protection: precast concrete is widely used to protect our coastline
Prudent use of natural resources: the precast industry is committed to reducing waste by, for example, using secondary recycled materials	Economic growth: the precast industry continues to invest in plant and resources, such as Bison Concrete's new £30m flooring plant, the largest in Europe

Further details of our progress can be viewed here.