The third Builders Merchants Federation Sustainability Report highlights the need for greater customer engagement to maintain progress.

The third annual Builders Merchants Federation State of Sustainability research report has revealed that sustainability is gaining traction.

A growing number of merchant product ranges have Environmental Product Declarations, which enable building professionals to compare the environmental performance of different products to make more sustainable choices.

The proportion of merchants reporting that they stock products with EPDs has doubled in the past year, rising from three in ten to six in ten respondents. At the same time, the number of merchants unsure whether their products carry these sustainability credentials has fallen from five in ten to three in ten.

However, the research, conducted by strategic agency CMDi, also highlights that the top three barriers to adopting sustainable building materials were all customer-related, with trade customers having low awareness of the need for sustainable materials, expressing scepticism about sustainability and/or being unwilling to pay more for sustainable products.

Furthermore, half of merchants still don’t talk to customers about EPDs, and among merchants with annual turnovers below £50 million, three-quarters don’t discuss EPDs with their customers. 

The report states that the single most important action the BMF could take to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable building materials is to support smaller merchants in shifting trade customer conversations away from lowest price and towards sustainability as a core value driver.

In response, the BMF is stepping up support with practical guidance through Working Group 1, which focuses on sustainability and environmental issues.

Giles Bradford, Chair of Working Group 1 & Head of Sustainability, Bradfords, said: “Sustainable building materials are not a niche. They are the future. Every merchant who avoids EPD conversations today is choosing to fall behind tomorrow.”

John Newcomb, CEO, said: “The BMF will continue to provide members with the tools, clarity and confidence needed to stay competitive, compliant and future-ready.”

Dianne Lucas, Managing Director of CMDi, said: “This sector has made real progress, but now we must protect it. Sustainability cannot become optional because market conditions are tough. Momentum is fragile and we cannot afford to lose the wins we’ve fought for.”

Download the full report at Our Work – Building Sustainability