What is a Circular Economy & How Does it Help Reduce Carbon Emissions?

We all know the environmental phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” - and on a very simple level, that is the basis of a circular economy. Companies that operate under a circular economy framework focus on how they can improve resource cycles and reduce waste, in order to reduce the impact they are having on the environment.

How is this relevant to RVT Group?

The rental business model is considered an inherently sustainable model. This is because hire companies are reliant on getting as much use out of a product/ machine as possible in order to be profitable. This isn’t a new way of working – far from it - our grandparents were raised with this mindset! Why buy a new sweater when you can stitch up the old one and make it as good as new? But the benefits stretch beyond cost efficiency, it is also a very environmentally sustainable way of working.

Here at RVT, we follow the Environmental Waste Hierarchy;

• Prevent
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Dispose

For example, we constantly check the performance of our products by conducting maintenance checks and tests and, when faults are found, the maintenance team will always try to repair the unit to extend its life. When a piece of machinery eventually becomes irreparable, our maintenance team will salvage and recondition any spare parts before the unit is finally recycled or disposed of. Ex-fleet items, such as Soundex Curtains, are recycled and re-purposed as refuse derived fuel (RDF). By following the Environmental Waste Hierarchy, a unit of machinery is more likely to achieve its full operational potential.

Now let's consider usage; a single rental unit might be used by over 50 different sites during its life, rather than just one. If you calculate the emissions of 50 sites sharing that single unit, compared to all 50 sites purchasing their own unit, the carbon emissions are significantly less (even when you factor in the transport between sites)!

You can calculate the environmental impact of hiring a piece of construction equipment vs. buying a piece of equipment, by using the ERA Equipment CO2 Calculator. This tool estimates the carbon footprint of construction equipment over its entire life cycle. It can also be used to determine the carbon footprint of a piece of machinery on a specific jobsite over a single period.

In conclusion, not only does choosing to hire a machine provide flexibility, access to the best equipment and potential cost savings, it can also contribute to environmental sustainability.

More Resources: Hire vs. Purchase Whitepaper