Page 30 - ALG Issue 3 2014

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How green is your shed?
These days we all like to do our best for the environment, but what is the greenest option for your new garden shed? We take a look at three materials: timber, concrete and TPR.
Timber
The vast majority of garden sheds are made from timber, largely because it is cheap. Softwood is most commonly used, which is faster growing and better for the environment than hardwood and usually comes from responsibly managed forests.
However it degrades quickly and is treated with strong chemicals to lengthen its life. These harmful substances will leach into the soil over time, and when the wood rots, the shed will need to be replaced.
Replacing a shed makes a significant carbon footprint, which will include the wood being harvested and processed, the shed being manufactured, transportation at every stage and even disposal of the old shed.
Concrete
A concrete shed may seem a better option, since it is unlikely to be replaced for many years. However, concrete is one of the world’s primary sources of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming. In fact, the cement industry as a whole is responsible for 5% of the
total global output of CO2.
TPR
TPR presents a more sustainable
alternative. TPR uses waste plastic that
cannot normally be recycled to make
panels stronger than concrete, and is manufactured in the UK by a cold process supported by The Carbon Trust. Brodco’s DaylightSecure TPR sheds are guaranteed
to last 50 years, and at the end of their lives are recyclable.
In addition, The Association of Chief Police Officers estimate that crime accounts for 2% of the UK’s total carbon output – and the DaylightSecure Max is the only shed that they recommend to reduce crime.
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After independent testing on every aspect of its security, the DaylightSecure Max is the only garden shed ever approved by the police.
Sustainably made using TPR® technology, it needs no solid base and is completely maintenance free.