The UK construction industry is undergoing a big shift as the demand for sustainable materials gains pace. With the built environment responsible for around 11% of the UK’s total carbon emissions (UK Green Building Council, 2024), pressure is mounting to decarbonise every stage of the construction process – from design through to materials sourcing.

Recycled Aggregates on the Rise

One of the biggest success stories has been recycled aggregates. According to the Mineral Products Association’s 2023 report, the UK now recycles or reuses over 70 million tonnes of construction, demolition, and excavation waste each year, that’s nearly 30% of all aggregate use nationally. This makes the UK a European leader in aggregate recycling, driven by both landfill taxes and sustainability commitments.

But finding local, compliant sources of recycled materials remains a challenge for many contractors – particularly under tight programme pressures. That’s where platforms like ours come in.

Green Cement & Low-Carbon Alternatives

Innovation is also surging in cement and concrete. Traditional cement is notoriously carbon-intensive, accounting for up to 8% of global CO₂ emissions (Chatham House, 2023), but UK producers are pushing back. The British cement industry cut its direct emissions by over 53% since 1990 (Mineral Products Association, 2023) through the adoption of alternatives like GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag), fly ash, and more recently, low-carbon cements such as CEM II and emerging “geopolymer” cements. These alternatives can reduce embodied carbon by up to 50% compared to ordinary cement.

Regulatory & Market Momentum

New policy drivers are accelerating adoption. The Environment Act 2021 and updates to PAS 2080 are pushing projects to specify recycled and low-carbon materials. Meanwhile, clients, including major infrastructure frameworks, are now setting explicit embodied carbon targets, making sustainable material choices a business necessity, not a nice-to-have.

How Soil Link Powers the Sustainable Materials Revolution

Soil Link is at the heart of this green shift, connecting you with trusted suppliers of recycled aggregates, secondary materials, and low-carbon products, as well as licensed recycling and recovery facilities across the UK. We make it simple to source, trade, and track sustainable materials, with all the data you need to hit your carbon and compliance targets. Do you want to find out more? Book a demo with our sales team today.