The Environment Secretary George Eustice has today given a written statement to Parliament on the policy intentions regarding water efficiency.

The announcements include:

• Regulations to introduce a mandatory water efficiency label to inform consumers and encourage the purchase of more water efficient products  
• Write to local authorities to encourage them to adopt the optional minimum building standard of 110 litres per person per day in all new builds where there is a clear local need, such as in water stressed areas 
• Develop a roadmap towards greater water efficiency in new developments and retrofits, including the exploration of revised building regulations and how the development of new technologies can contribute to meeting these standards. They will ensure that the underlying legislation can, where appropriate, accommodate any potential future expansion of rainwater harvesting, water re-use and storage options.  

BMA Chief Executive, Tom Reynolds, said: “BMA and its members are committed to working with Government to develop and implement any new mandatory UK requirement.  

“The Unified Water Label is tried and tested, and already backed by industry, providing an efficient and effective way for Government to ensure consumers are fully informed, and it will avoid the confusion of double labelling.  

“More than two-thirds of domestic water use is used in the bathroom, and manufacturers are ready to lead the way in helping everyone reduce their water use.”

See the full statement from George Eustice here. 

EDGE a sustainability-focused design and construction showroom, will launch its London resource centre in Marylebone. The first of its kind, EDGE (Eco Design Green Environment) will showcase sustainability-minded brands, and will serve as an environmental hub where sustainability-conscious materials suppliers and specifiers such as construction companies, architects and interior designers can connect.  

The approximately 2400 square-foot EDGE centre will display cutting-edge solutions at the forefront of the sustainable design movement – a rapidly growing end-consumer trend as well as a crucial tool for a city like London to help it to achieve its climate-change-related goals and strengthen its perception as a leader in sustainability. Spanning three floors, EDGE offers a continually evolving, design-centred showcase of educational and aesthetic materials, collaborative workspaces, with on-hand advice for professionals and the public alike.  

George Papatheodorou, CEO of EDGE London, commented  

“We spend 80 per cent of our time indoors and at a time when the debate surrounding humankind’s impact on the earth, its climate and the people who inhabit it continues to intensify, it is more important than ever that we have a responsible attitude to material specification. To do so requires makers and manufacturers to take a considered approach to sustainability and at EDGE we make it our mission to find them. We do not believe that materials designed to reduce their negative social and environmental impact should ever hinder innovation – if anything, they should enhance it.” 

The hub will host both large, established brands as well as small independents, offering variety in everything from walls and floors to sustainable furniture. EDGE partners with and promotes materials manufacturers who prioritise sourcing raw materials based on provenance and quantity required; who aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce operations-related emissions; reuse resources, recycle waste and promote a more circular economy; create regenerative materials; and utilise closed-loop production methods.  

It will feature brands in surfaces and space-enhancing solutions such as Kerakoll, Mobilane, Gencork, Sound Zero, Scale, Newtab22, Smile Plastic, Old Fashioned Milk Paint, and AFM Safecoat, as well as furniture and interiors brands such as Mater, Camira, Aurore Piette and Grown Bio. Amongst the interior and exterior building materials brands to be showcased are Bolon, Puretree, Amorim, Mogu, Woodpecker Flooring, Bio ean, Thermafleece, Bencore, Durat, Richlite, Aquaco Water Recycling, with many more being vetted and expected to come aboard in the coming months. 

EDGE will operate on an appointment-only basis. 

To book an appointment, email edge@edgelondon.eco or call 020 3876 7093. For more information, please visit http://www.edgelondon.eco.  

The Unified Water Label Association has welcomed a ministerial statement on reducing water waste, published today, (01July).  The statement outlines the government’s approach to reduce the demand for water in order to fulfil the ambitious requirements of the 25 Year Environment Plan.

The  measures, proposed to create more water efficient homes, include; asking water companies to address leakage on customers own pipes, encouraging  local authorities to adopt the optional minimum building standard of 110 litres per person per day in all new builds, developing a roadmap towards greater water efficiency in new developments and retrofits, exploring revised building regulations and how the development of new technologies can contribute to meeting these standards, and the introduction of a mandatory water efficiency label.

UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill   says, “We welcome this announcement and the importance that the government is now placing on the sustainability message.  We are looking forward to working with the government and taking forward our industry water label, a unique tool, developed by industry experts and used extensively to identify water use of bathroom products.  In the first half of 2021, over 28,000 visitors have used the water calculator and since its development over 10 years ago over 150,000 projects have been calculated.

“The Unified Water Label is tried and tested in the market place.  It is robust and meets all the demands of the environmental bill.  It has been developed by the industry, by working together we have made significant progress, taking on board the challenges and driving forward changes in opinion and habits in consumers.

“If we can continue to work collectively towards a common goal, I am confident that with government support we can make the Unified Water Label a mandatory solution that works for the industry and the consumer.

“Those interested in finding out how they can become involved by supporting the Unified Water Label can find out more here.”

HiB’s Managing Director Robert Ginsberg has been ranked as one of the top business leaders in the UK, as part of the Growing Business Intelligence SME Leaders 20.

The award recognises and celebrates the achievements of leaders at small or medium-sized enterprises and is presented to those that have demonstrated strength, innovation, flexibility and resilience during the challenges of the past 18 months.

Robert, who has been MD for the leading bathroom supplier for more than nine years, was among the top 20 individuals chosen to receive the award by the panel of judges and be congratulated for his efforts. He said: “I am delighted to have been named among the winners of this year’s SME Leaders 20. Supporting HiB through its continued growth, navigating the current economic climate and putting together a strategy for the future has been central to my role along with the other Directors. To see the business go from strength to strength while also doing as much as possible to support our employees, our partners and the wider community has been a real privilege and we’re driving forward with our vision to achieve even more in the coming years.”

The SME Leaders 20 award by Growing Business Intelligence, in association with Azets, identifies an elite group of individuals who have made a significant difference to their respective businesses. 

Fraser Campbell, UK Head of Accounts and Business Advisory Services at Azets and one of the judges of this year’s awards, said: “Congratulations to our SME Leaders 20. SMEs are the backbone of the economy and they have faced some of the most challenging circumstances over the last 15 months with real courage and perseverance. All entries were inspiring and full of a determination to succeed – an impressive trait in SMEs. We are delighted to share the SME Leaders 20 results and celebrate the leadership and ambition of SMEs across the UK.”

For more information about HiB, visit www.hib.co.uk