The Environment and Sustainability Institute, Exeter

The Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) is part of Exeter University, leading cutting edge research into interdisciplinary solutions dealing with the problems of environmental change. Mirroring the Institutes’ purpose, ESI is housed within a BREEAM rated ‘Outstanding’ building, bringing together a number of sustainable strategies, including a 35,000 litre rainwater harvesting system (twice normal BREEAM-compliant size), combined with low water use sanitary ware and automatic shutoff valves, storing rainwater for the building’s toilets. The system is plumbed together using Geberit’s low environmental impact pipe, Geberit HDPE, with Geberit Mapress press-fit used for all hot and cold works.

One of the contributing factors to ESI receiving its ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM rating is the care taken to source products with low environmental impact – the majority of building elements specified achieved Green Guide A or A+ ratings - from responsible manufacturers, such as Geberit, certified to ISO14001, BES6001 or SC/PEFC.

All of Geberit’s products undergo Life Cycle Assessments which help manufacturers make decisions on the development of environmentally-friendly products. Environmental concerns ranging from climate change to resource use are considered - the lower the points, the lower the impact on the environment.

The Life Cycle Assessment concludes that, from an ecological point of view, plastic pipe, such as Geberit HDPE has markedly better results than metal pipes such as cast iron. Geberit HDPE pipe is made from High Density Polythene, a simple compound of carbon and hydrogen atoms which is harmless to the environment and completely recyclable.

“The University of Exeter’s decision to build a BREEAM Outstanding building and to minimise the use of PVC presented a number of design and specification challenges but Geberit’s HDPE system has provided a robust alternative.”

Falmouth Exeter Plus’s Head of Capital Projects, George Lewis.