The Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) has launched a Copper Awareness Day to shine a light on how the material plays a vital part in creating a more sustainable future.
Copper Awareness Day will be celebrated on 29th October annually, with the number 29 aligning with copper's atomic number.
The initiative aims to highlight copper's essential role in the built environment and its contribution to improving sustainability across our infrastructure.
CuSP’s mission is to raise awareness of the importance of using sustainable materials to combat the rising prevalence of plastic in construction, and the awareness day will support this through the sharing of information and resources.
Oliver Lawton, Co-Founder of CuSP, said: “The formation of a Copper Awareness Day amplifies the importance of using sustainable materials for the future of our planet.
“CuSP is on a mission to inform, innovate and collaborate with industry partners and the next generation to collectively help build a greener future. It’s crucial for the sector to prioritise the right materials and this day will mark an opportunity to spread the word and encourage more organisations to get involved.”
As the UK strives towards achieving net zero ambitions by 2050, now is the time for the construction industry to act and prioritise sustainable materials.
Research by CuSP recently revealed that plastic waste from the UK construction industry has surged by 210% every two years since 2004 - 15 times faster than the EU - and has a recycling rate as low as 3% for common plastics like PVC. By choosing more sustainable materials like copper in construction projects, waste and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced.
Copper’s durability and resistance to corrosion make it an ideal alternative to plastic piping, which poses health risks and environmental concerns through emitting dangerous microplastics. The material is supporting the transition to low carbon energy systems, to be driven forward by the Future Homes Standard in 2025, with its thermal conductivity making it suitable for applications like heat pumps.
Andrew Surtees, Co-Founder of CuSP, commented: "While much attention has been given to the dangers of plastic packaging and impact of microplastics on human health, less so has been dedicated to the impact of the plastic piping used in everyday environments such as our homes and hospitals.
“The hazards – from fire safety risks to leaching dangerous chemicals – need to be made known, and at CuSP we have made it our responsibility to share truths and combat misinformation in the industry. As an infinitely recyclable material, copper holds the key to a more sustainable built environment, and we must do more to encourage its benefits over alternative materials like plastic.”
To support their mission, CuSP is hosting a programme of informative seminars with local schools and colleges to inspire the next generation of plumbers in the West Midlands region over the next year.
The awareness day will pave the way for the future talent of the plumbing industry, ensuring sustainability is part of their education and at the forefront of their priorities.
To find out more about the awareness day, visit: https://www.cuspuk.com/cusp-launches-copper-awareness-day/.
