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 focussed 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.

" I believe that a more sustainable approach is the key to the future of the precast industry; an industry that produces more output from fewer inputs, has a more profitable operations at less cost, is more efficient with less waste, and has more trained staff with fewer accidents."            

British Precast President, David Szymanski  

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 wasteby, for example, using secondary receyled materials	Economic growth:the precast industry continues to invest in plant and resources, such as Bison Concrete's new £30 million flooring plant, the largets in Europe

Further details of our progress can be seen here