The trial scheme aims to move towards a circular economy by taking waste plasterboard and reintroducing it to the local supply chain.

According to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), plasterboard can make up to a third of all waste from a fit-out. And with plasterboard banned from landfills, the need to effectively manage this waste is critical.

Knauf isn’t new to plasterboard recycling, having already implemented a recycling partnership directly next to its Sittingbourne factory.

Jon Watts, national client development manager UK & Ireland, explained: “The existing factory and recycling service is fantastic. However, with this partnership, we can tap into on-site recycling and ensure as much goes back into the supply chain as possible.”

Contractors that use Knauf products and opt into the Take Back Scheme will be connected to local and vetted recycling companies via Encore nationwide network. These dedicated skips will be sent to their site and, once filled, collected, and brought to specialised local centres.

“This is critical, we don’t want plasterboard being taken all over the country. It’s broken down locally and then gets distributed back to plasterboard manufacturers,” Watts continued.

The latter process is critical to creating the basis of a circular economy. “We already have something similar at Sittingbourne for local contractors. The Encore partnership opens it up nationally.”

The trial starts with the Piccadilly Warehouse renovation in Manchester with contractors Manchester Design and Build.