Construction industry waste and in particular the high occurrence of plastic by-product not being recycled on building sites, is a hot topic, as conversations around sustainability in the construction industry warm up.

New Zealanders are striving to find a balance between "green construction" and the cost/environmental control of a build.

As a scaffolding business, we are increasingly asked to scaffold buildings and wrap them too. We use 2 systems to achieve this (sometimes in conjunction with each other).

Shrink-Wrap

Most Shrink-Wrap films available in the New Zealand market are manufactured using virgin resin and are 100% recyclable. While some suppliers offer return schemes, these are generally only available in major centres.  

BUT the good news is, Peninsula Roofing & Scaffolding are now part of trial to recycle our used Shrinkwrap in collaboration with Shrinkwrap Supplies. Each roll of film that we purchase from ShrinkWrap Supplies will come with the appropriate amount of bags needed to return it - free of charge!

Returned film must be clean and free of dirt, sawdust, strapping and excessive amounts of tape. It is then put through an intensive cleaning and washing process prior to conversion into "recycled plastic resin", which throughout New Zealand and Australia is used to make:

• New Film
• Air-conditioning ducts
• Communication pits
• Injection moulded components
• Household Garbage bins. (Wheelie Bin)
• Polyethylene irrigation pipe
• Drainage systems
• Manual handling equipment. Bins, Tubs, Crates
• Plant Pots
• Bar Chairs for the construction industry

This by-product of the construction industry actually has value and can be turned into items that are used and needed within the same sector, as well as outside of construction.

In conjunction with SARNZ and Shrinkwrap Supplies, we are making a conscious decision to reduce the amount we put in landfill.

Layher Keder (PVC Sheet Tarpaulin) Roof System

After a trip through the Layher plant factory in Germany during 2019, Richard and Diane Vetter of Peninsula Roofing and Scaffolding, invested in a Layher Keder (PVC Sheet Tarpaulin) Roof System to provide a green construction solution to the growing customer demand for encapsulating builds as they work on them.

The Layher Keder Roof System, is constructed from lightweight aluminium and is a robust, portable and temporary weather protection system which can be used in residential, commercial and eventing projects. Possible applications vary widely and include covering buildings while extra storeys are added, repair of roof trusses and re-roofing, alterations and additions, weatherproofing for new build construction sites, and many other possible uses at events and festivals.

CASE STUDY: Encapsulating an entire house using a combination of Layer Keder (PVC Sheet Tarpaulin) Roof System & Shrink-Wrap

At the request of Coastwood Homes (Coromandel), Peninsula Scaffolding Ltd undertook to scaffold, then wrap with the Layher Keder (PVC Sheet Tarpaulin) Roof System and minimal shrink-wrap, a circa 1976 Pauanui Lockwood house, enabling alterations and additions to be undertaken in an environment protected from moisture and wind. And boy - have we needed that protection this summer of 2023!

Such unpredictable weather systems and trends have made encapsulating a build VERY popular and a sensible option in providing certainty and continuation of work in a timely manner.

The quantifiable savings achieved on this job by using the Lahyer Keder Roof System with the PVC sheet tarpaulins on the sides of the structure, saved 791.3 square metres of shrink-wrap being used.

Benefits of the Layher Keder Roof System with the PVC sheet tarpaulin sidings over a purely Shrink-wrap only job:

• Multi-usage
• Durability
• Speed of Install
• Modern and visually appealing
• Engineering Checked for weather and environmental loadings safety (supported by design and quality standards)
• Guarantee of dry and calm environment within the structure
• Compatible with other scaffold systems

Congratulations Coastwood Homes and your customer for partnering with us to make this good choice for our environment.

Thanks to Sean King (Kiwi Way of Life) for the images that the property owner kindly gave permission for.