Pro Installer January 2025 - Issue 142 | Page 14

News
14 | JANUARY 2025

News

Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk

Recycling scheme launch for closed loop glass and PVC-U

Sustainability is on the top of the agenda for all of us . Homeowners , social housing providers and housebuilders are all looking for ways to reduce their carbon emissions and many are looking to a more considerate supply chain where carbon savings are a priority . That ’ s why it ’ s great to see one of DGCOS ’ founding members , Ideal Window Solutions , launching a new closed loop recycling service .
Faisal Hussain , DGCOS ’ chief executive , tells us more about Ideal Window Solutions :
“ Ideal Window Solutions is a DGCOS member who has operated as a window and door installer for over 25 years , working on new build developments with housebuilders , as well as domestic and retail installation for general consumers . They have been associated with DGCOS for over 14 years . In addition to the installation side of the business , they have an active maintenance and repair division . The upshot of the service level they deliver is the longevity of their customer relationships . When the window and door products Ideal Window Solutions provide are truly at end of life , those customers tend to come back for replacements and now , the closed group recycling service will extend their service and customer relationships further .”
Thom Emerson , Sales & Marketing Director of Ideal Window Solutions , tells us more about
the scheme : “ We ’ re really pleased to be launching this closed loop recycling scheme ( supported by our key suppliers Epwin , Emplas , St Gobain , and Padiham Glass ) at a time when sustainability is so important to all of us . Well maintained PVC-U windows and doors in their original state have an average lifespan of
between 30 and 40 years . But the PVC-U material used in the frames can also be recyclable up to 10 times and still maintain its performance . Furthermore , glass can be infinitely recycled without suffering any deterioration in performance .
“ Reusing the PVC-U by grounding , melting and remoulding old
window and door frames , results in a potential cumulative lifetime of 400 years from a single window or door . A replacement PVC-U window frame can contain up to 45 % recycled content and the PVC-U recovery and refinement process achieves 99 % purity .
“ Introducing glass and PVU-C waste back into the manufacturing process not only helps to conserve raw materials and reduce landfill , it achieves significant cuts in energy consumption and emissions , too .
Recovered , recycled and remade in Britain
“ The aim of the scheme is for all our PVC-U windows and doors to be recovered in Britain , recycled in Britain and remade in Britain , which in itself brings even more sustainable benefits . We ’ re bringing a new lease of life for old windows and doors because consigning old products to landfill simply cannot be justified .”
www . dgcos . org . uk

THE INDUSTRY HUB FOR COMPETENCY AND TRAINING

Training has historically formed one of the key pillars for GGF members . Over the last 18 months , the organisation has been investing significantly in overhauling its training strategy to address past industry issues , present industry competencies , and future industry needs . An example of this is the IOSH Managing Safely in the Glass & Glazing
Industry training course that is a market first for the GGF and its members , created by our Head of Operations , Lauren Mawford .
The GGF training platform and its AI generated training avatar GRACE ( Glazing Resource and Career Education ) is just one area of change and innovation .
“ Keeping our workforce informed , educated and fully competent across a range of skills in a regulated and demonstrable fashion is critical in an industry where the long term health and safety of everyone is paramount . With the erosion of grandfather rights , and increasing scrutiny due to changing regulations after disasters such as Grenfell , the need to prove this has been the focus of much discussion ,” commented the GGF ’ s technical officer and training manager John Mannell .
“ Companies are additionally being impacted by the ever increasing skills shortage , and a lack of new blood entering the industry at a young age ,” he continued .
The GGF ’ s Skilled Pathways Scheme was set up over 18 months ago to encourage the next generation of window and glazing experts . It is run in partnership with Total Support Training and GQA Qualifications , and the first cohort of ‘ graduates ’ are now reaching the end of their SPS training .
The GGF will be introducing you to some of those graduates soon , but we recently caught up with
Ben Hill who has completed his training with Leicester Glass Company . He had this to say about the scheme : “ I would definitely recommend this scheme to others as it is a great opportunity for young people like myself to get ahead in the industry as early as possible . It provides you with skills and experiences that will set you up for success in the future .
“ As it has great variety in the topics , it helps you explore different paths and find your passion . The skilled pathway gave me great connections in the trade which I was not expecting . When I have issues or questions and I am unsure who to ask , I have now got a vast support network of people that can help me .”
The GGF is also investing considerably in attending apprentice fairs in schools and colleges across the UK .
“ With university fees increasing , our industry needs to reframe the narrative around training and qualifying in an industry that is always looking for committed , ambitious people . We look forward to sharing our experiences of apprentice fairs in the coming weeks and months , and following through on the impact they are having for our members , and for the industry as a whole ,” said John .
www . ggf . org . uk