Investing in recycling

Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France (SGDB France) has invested in Solution Recyclage Bâtiment (SRB). Created in 2019 in Nantes (France), this company offers an innovative building waste sorting and collection service to construction sites to improve recycling and recovery. This operation, backed by a commercial partnership, fits perfectly with the CSR approach introduced by SGDB France focusing in particular on the circular economy and waste collection. For this operation, Saint-Gobain leveraged the expertise and support of NOVA, the Group’s external venturing team.

Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France, a committed stakeholder in waste collection and treatment

The construction industry generates more than 46 million metric tons of waste annually, 90% of which comes from restoration projects and demolition sites. At present, just 40 to 50% is recovered through recycling or energy production*.

For the past 20 years, Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France and its main brands have committed to an approach to help trade professionals improve and professionalize waste collection. In 1996, this resulted in the creation of the POINT.P waste drop-off center. Today, SGDB has 111 waste drop-off centers at its POINT.P and La Plateforme du Bâtiment brand outlets and offers a series of solutions to its customers (agreement with external waste drop-off centers, big bags for work sites, drop-off centers at sales outlets, etc.).

Solution Recyclage Bâtiment: an innovative waste sort-at-source solution for construction sites

Solution Recyclage Bâtiment provides comprehensive support to contractors to improve their site waste recycling: training and awareness programs for trade professionals, sorting stations, regular collection from sites, recycling through appropriate systems (11 materials recycled at present), and contractual waste traceability certificates. Solution Recyclage Bâtiment therefore provides a tailored solution for the various trades (logistics comfort, time savings) while at the same time improving waste recycling rates resulting in cleaner, more sustainable and safer construction sites. Initially focused on the new single dwelling market, Solution Recyclage Bâtiment has extended its services to the new apartment and tertiary sector construction markets and is now also working on social housing refurbishment sites. SRB has a single site in Nantes (France). Through this partnership with SGDB France, the company is aiming to create around 15 agencies to cover the bulk of the French market.

Investment and commercial partnership

SGDB France’s investment in Solution Recyclage Bâtiment also includes a commercial partnership. This will help quickly and efficiently develop a new service for all building and construction sector stakeholders.

SGDB France and Solution Recyclage Bâtiment will provide real advantages to a great many sector stakeholders:

• Improved recognition of local authorities’ CSR expectations
• Cleaner worksites and a solution for construction contractors to their private customers’ expectations
• Improved industry image, simpler operation and a solution to trade professionals’ waste management problems.

“Making the world a better home” is Saint-Gobain’s purpose. The opportunity to support the growth of Solution Recyclage Bâtiment seemed self-evident to the SGDB France teams as a way to continue to improve building waste recycling and recovery,” says Patrice Richard, President of Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France.

* Source: French Ministry of Regional Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities.