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Search Results for: RECYCLING

Transforming Waste into Sustainability: The GGF Recycling Schemes

Environmental Hub, Members News, News, Recycling |

Let’s talk about the power of Recycling…

It’s no secret to anyone that recycling is a key component in safeguarding our environment and resources; so when GGF Members join hands with the GGF Recycling Schemes, your business can make a difference to your own and our industry’s carbon footprint.

In a bid to revolutionise the way we handle old windows and doors, the GGF Recycling Schemes have emerged as a beacon of sustainability for GGF Members across England, Wales, and Scotland. This initiative allows members to seamlessly request a collection service for their outdated uPVC, Aluminium, Timber, and Glass structures, paving the way for a greener future.

What sets the GGF schemes apart is its flexibility. Members opting for a uPVC collection can conveniently include glass units in their request, streamlining the process and ensuring a hassle-free experience. The beauty of the GGF Recycling Schemes lies in the simplicity of being able to choose a collection date and time that suits your convenience, making the entire process a breeze and saving you valuable time.

Partnering with industry-leading recycling companies, the GGF Recycling Schemes not only facilitate the removal of old frames and offcuts but can also provide a valuable resource for expert advice on sustainable practices for Members.

By sorting out recyclables, we’re giving these materials a fresh lease on life. This not only eases the burden on landfills but also elongates the lifespan of raw materials, which will foster a more sustainable and circular economy.

To start your recycling journey and arrange your collections, please click the button below.

Start Recycling with the GGF

If we work together to turn recycling into a rewarding and convenient habit, we can pave the way for a brighter, greener tomorrow!

GGF Recycling Schemes

News |

The GGF Recycling Schemes enable GGF Members to request a collection service for their old windows and doors that are made of uPVC, Aluminium, Timber and Glass across England, Wales and Scotland.

In addition, if you request a uPVC collection, you may also ask for the glass units to be collected at the same time. The scheme allows you to have your old frames and off cuts collected at a date and time of your choosing. The scheme is run in partnership with leading recycling companies in their sector who will be happy to provide you with insight and expert advice should you wish.

The expansion has been a big success to date, and we want to emphasise the importance the role the GGF Recycling Schemes play in our organisation and how it aligns with the GGF’s commitment to sustainability.

Key Points to Consider

– Collection of all uPVC frames and glass is done free of charge and saves you money on skip hire every month.

– For any Aluminium collections you will receive a commission for the surplus material received. The commission rate is linked to the London Metal Exchange value for Aluminium in that given month.

– For timber there is a collection fee applicable which will be confirmed once you have made the request. This cost is a saving against a skip hire of a similar size.

– Regardless of material, windows must be deglazed before collection and all frames must be stacked safely

– All other hardware such as handles, hinges, locks, rubber & silicone can remain on the windows

– All collections are recorded and you will receive a certificate at the end of the year showcasing your green credentials

Timber

The GGF Timber Recycling Scheme is in partnership with Community Wood Recycling (CWR). They are a network of social enterprises collecting and reusing waste wood in the most environmentally beneficial way and creating jobs and training for disadvantaged people.

If you’d like to have wood collected, please get in contact with CWR, on 01273 20 30 40, or alternatively, please send them an email on pearly@communitywoodrecycling.org.uk.

Glass

The glass recycling scheme in partnership with CNC Recycling is available to companies that install windows in Hull, York, Doncaster, Lincoln, Peterborough, Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby, Wakefield, Bradford, Leeds, Huddersfield, Manchester, Liverpool, across to Halifax/Brighouse, down to Stoke and then over to North Wales, Cheshire, and areas of Cumbria.

– The glass can only be collected when having your uPVC frames collected at the same time.

– The collected uPVC frames must be de-glazed as the glass is collected on different vehicles.

– There must be a minimum of 20 window frames/IGUs for a collection to be made.

– The IGUs must not be broken and stacked (A frames) ready for collection.

To arrange a collection please contact recycling experts CNC Recycling on sales@cncrecycling.co.uk.

Aluminium

Our free Aluminium collection service is in place to encourage Members to start to make more sustainable and earth friendly choices, to strengthen the future of the fenestration industry.

In collaboration with our partners Alutrade and in conjunction with the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), Alutrade offer an extensive fleet of collection vehicles, which are available across England, Scotland and Wales. What’s more, you will receive a commission on the aluminium collected!

To arrange a collection of your aluminium waste, please fill out the collection enquiry form by clicking here and someone will be in touch.

UPVC

Our uPVC Recycling Scheme, through our nationwide partnership with CNC Recycling, offers a multitude of collection vehicles, which provides GGF Members the ability to recycle all of their old window frames after a job.

To arrange a collection of your uPVC waste, please fill out the collection enquiry form by clicking here,

Join the GGF Recycling Schemes and Start Recycling Today

It’s no secret that recycling plays a substantial role in conserving our environment and resources, and reducing our carbon footprint and by getting your business involved in the GGF Recycling Schemes, we can collectively make a positive impact through our recycling efforts.

GGF Members have the opportunity to showcase their commitment to sustainability, by actively engaging in the GGF recycling schemes.

Our recycling schemes are intended to divert a significant portion of waste from landfills. By separating recyclable materials such as glass, timber, and aluminium, we can ensure that these valuable resources are given a new life. This reduces the strain on landfills, prolongs the lifespan of raw materials, and helps create a more sustainable and circular economy.

Expansion of the GGF Glass Recycling Scheme – Start Recycling with the GGF Today

News |

In recent years, the GGF have successfully launched a number of recycling schemes for Members, across uPVC, Aluminium, Timber, and Glass.

In March, we launched the free pilot Glass Recycling Scheme in collaboration with CNC Recycling across certain areas of the UK, and following on from that success, we are thrilled to announce the service will be expanding to other areas and reaching more of the GGF community.

Where is the Scheme Available?

The pilot scheme was originally available to companies that install windows in Hull, York, Doncaster, Lincoln, Peterborough, Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby, Wakefield, Bradford, Leeds & Huddersfield.

With the expansion of the scheme we’re pleased to announce the scheme will now cover Manchester, Liverpool, across to Halifax/Brighouse, down to Stoke and then over to North Wales, Cheshire and areas of Cumbria.

With these additional areas now able to have their uPVC frames and IGUs collected for free, we’re thrilled the Glass Recycling Scheme now covers a significant portion of England and is now available to more GGF members than ever before.

Collection Rules

  • The collected uPVC frames must be de-glazed as the glass is collected on different vehicles.
  • There must be a minimum of 20 window frames/IGUs for a collection to be made.
  • The IGUs must not be broken and stacked (A frames) ready for collection.

All glass collected as part of this scheme, which can be recycled into clean cullet, is re-used for flat glass processing. A recycling scheme that truly helps the sector drive down its carbon emissions.

Next Steps

If you would like to arrange a collection of your uPVC frames and IGUs then please contact CNC on 01642 983188.

Alternatively, please email sales@cncrecycling.co.uk and someone will be in touch with you to discuss your collection.

CNC Recycling Limited

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Grown from a single North East operation, CNC Recycling is a Nationwide UPVC window recycling specialist company committed to offering a sustainable alternative to landfill for old windows and doors for the Fenestration Industry.

We successfully collect thousands of tonnes across the UK every year saving Installers and Fabricators money on landfill charges. This enables recycled materials to be fed back into the supply chain as a valuable secondary raw material to produce new, recycled windows and doors. PVCu due to its thermoplastic nature can be recycled several times before any significant loss of performance.

Here at CNC Recycling we are heavily committed to recycling every piece of UPVC waste created as we look to continue to be a trusted and reliable partner to the Fenestration Industry.

GGF Recycling Schemes – uPVC & Aluminium

The GGF uPVC and Aluminium recycling schemes are available to all GGF members across England, Scotland and Wales. This is a free collection service for all members that will increase your sustainability and showcase your green credentials to your customers.

To speak to our recycling partners, CNC Recycling and Alutrade, please complete the form below, specifying the material you wish to have collected. From there, you will be contacted directly to have a collection arranged at your convenience.

GGF uPVC & Aluminium Recycling Scheme

The GGF uPVC and Aluminium Recycling Scheme allows old frames and offcuts collected at a date and time of your choosing. Please complete the below form to arrange a collection and our partners will be in contact to finalise the details. Windows must be deglazed before collection and please ensure all frames and glass are stacked safely.

    Windows must be deglazed before collection and please ensure all are stacked safely.

Victorian Sliders

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Victorian Sliders is proud to be a fully integrated manufacturer. We extrude our own profile, make IGUs including toughening of glass, and fabricate the whole window on-site in the UK. We also have in-house colour bonding facilities and a PVCu recycling plant. We even make our own hardware exclusively for ECOSlide windows.

We supply finished windows directly to installers and tradespeople within the window industry via our network of depots throughout the UK & Ireland. We do not install, so we never compete with professional customers.

80 Million Windows Need to be Replaced Across the UK

Members News, Membership News |

  • UK homes are the worst in Western Europe for heat loss
  • 98% of windows do not meet current building regulations
  • New windows can save homeowners up to £395 per year off their energy bills

80 million home windows need to be replaced if the UK hopes to meet the government’s net zero targets.

That is just one of the alarming statistics revealed in the ‘A Window of Opportunity’ report, jointly published by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and British Glass. This is the most extensive report in the Glazing industry to date, publishing results from extensive research on heat loss in homes and the contribution that modern windows can make to keeping people’s homes warm.

When it comes to heat loss in a home, the UK currently has the least efficient housing stock in Western Europe and has seen one of the worst carbon reductions of all sectors since 1990.

The report demonstrates that replacing older double glazed windows with new windows that meet current standards can reduce heat loss in an already insulated home by half, from 44% to 22%.  

Other figures that are certain to shock millions of homeowners are:

  • 80 million windows would benefit from being replaced now.
  • The UK’s housing stock is the worst performing country in Western Europe in terms of heat loss, and three times less energy efficient than Germany.
  • Double glazing installed pre-2002 is in approximately 23% of the UK’s current housing stock and is 50% less energy efficient than new windows to current standards.
  • 22% heat saving could be achieved in properties that have already been insulated to best practice if pre-2002 windows are replaced.
  • Homes fitted with new windows to current standards could see a saving of up to £395 per year.
  • 24% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the residential sector.
  • Replacing pre-2002 double glazing with new double glazing to current standards is the equivalent of taking 1.88 million cars off the road.

Chris Beedel, Head of Advocacy at the GGF, said: “We are in continuous discussion with the government about net zero targets and the positive contribution that would be made if older double glazed windows were to be replaced. As the government looks to achieve net zero, it is clear homeowners and our industry have a vital role to play.”

“We are well aware of the current state of the economy, and as the government requires higher energy efficiencies from new windows, there needs to be real incentives for homeowners to make the necessary change to new windows.”

Chris continues: “The residential sector currently contributes to almost a quarter of the entire country’s carbon emissions. This needs to change – reducing emissions from households, and therefore improving glazing, is crucial in helping reach net zero, which we are all committed to.”

Natalie Little, President of the GGF, said: “This report may come as a surprise to homeowners, and the government. In the last two decades, replacement window and door technology has developed enormously through manufacturing and improvements in plastics, glass and metals.

Natalie, who also acts as Commercial Director of truhouse., her family’s home improvement company based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, added: “Today’s double and triple glazing is light years ahead of what was available 20 years ago with windows installed today performing 50% better than old double glazing and 70% better than single glazing. Almost a quarter of the UK’s homes have double glazing that is at least 20 years old and therefore doesn’t meet today’s standards and would benefit from immediate replacement. It’s like driving a 20-year-old car. It will get you from A to B but will not be as fuel and emissions efficient as a new car.

“Standards are constantly under review and we await the government consultation on the Future Homes Standard for new build homes which could see a move to triple glazing and much more stringent energy efficiency requirements.”

Notes to editors

‘A Window of Opportunity’ was developed by British Glass and the Glass and Glazing Federation. These organisations represent the industry from glass and framing production through to installation and recycling. The industry is worth £4 billion per annum to the UK economy and employs over 100,000 individuals.  

The full report can be found here: https://www.ggf.org.uk/launch-of-a-new-campaign-a-window-of-opportunity/

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Media House:

Sophie Ross – sophie@mediahouse.co.uk / 07555 367651

Lorna Gardner – lorna@mediahouse.co.uk / 07813 193618

Changes to Hazardous Wood Waste

Members News |

Following five years of work to clarify which waste wood items are potentially hazardous, the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA) have welcomed plans by the Environment Agency to withdraw RPS 250 on September 1st.

Introduced in July 2021, Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 250 currently allows potentially hazardous ‘amber’ waste wood items from the construction and demolition (C&D) waste stream to be moved and processed as non-hazardous. However, from September 1st of this year, the Environment Agency has confirmed this will be withdrawn. 

The withdrawal means that certain kinds of potentially hazardous waste wood from pre-2007 buildings, which can currently be sent for recycling or recovery under the RPS, will no longer be accepted at wood recycling sites. They’ll only be accepted if tested to show they are not hazardous by being sent off for a simple test.

WRA have created a helpful toolkit with guides and materials to help you prepare for the withdrawal. You can find the document by clicking here.

Recycle Your Timber with the GGF

Members News |

The GGF are always looking for ways to expand and develop the benefits offering to Members, and are pleased to be able to announce the extension of the GGF Upvc, Glass and Aluminium Recycling Schemes to now include Timber. This expansion means the GGF is now home to a full material recycling service for Members.

Recycle with the GGF

Community Wood Recycling

We’ve partnered up with Community Wood Recycling (CWR), a network of social enterprises collecting and reusing waste wood in the most environmentally beneficial way and creating jobs and training for disadvantaged people.

CWR’s mission is to work hard to contribute to a more sustainable, socially inclusive society, by providing an efficient and cost effective collection service for wood that would otherwise go to waste.

By getting involved in CWR’s Timber Recycling scheme, you can contribute to creating life changing opportunities for a wide range of disadvantaged people who will gain confidence and self-esteem, learn a range of useful and transferable skills enabling them to get back to work. People CWR help include ex-offenders, those with mild mental health or learning difficulties and people who have come through drug and alcohol abuse.

What are the Benefits of Recycling Waste Wood?

  • You can save money and make an even greater contribution to sustainability
  • Cut your waste disposal costs
  • Promote reuse and reduce energy use and pollution
  • Help us bring positive change to disadvantaged peoples’ lives
  • Fulfil CSR and environmental policy commitments

What Wood Can Be Collected?

CWR will collect virtually all waste timber, wood composites, furniture and wooden items, regardless of type or condition. Collections comprised mostly of heavy material such as fire doors, kitchen units or offcuts of sheet materials are charged on a ‘Minimum Load’ basis.

What You Should Know:

  • 100% of the Timber CWR collect is either reused or recycled, meaning nothing is going to landfill and creating unnecessary waste. 
  • In 2022 alone, CWR provided training and work opportunities for over 600 local unemployed people and created 249 jobs.
  • Last year, CWR rescued almost 24,000 tonnes of wood, which is twice the weight of the Eiffel Tower!

Recycle My Timber

If you’d like to have wood collected, please get in contact with CWR, on 01273 20 30 40, or alternatively, please send an email to CWR on pearly@communitywoodrecycling.org.uk and someone will be in touch.

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