Lignacite has become the first concrete block manufacturer to have the recycled content in its products independently verified by sustainability consultancy Blue Marble. The verification covers over 90% of its range – including the Lignacite ECO, Lignacite GP and Lignacite dense blocks – and confirms the percentage of recycled material used in each.
The milestone comes as required sustainability standards continue to be applied for UK construction projects through regulations such as Section 106 Agreements, alongside localised initiatives like whole life-cycle carbon reduction requirements in the City of London.
Together with Lignacite’s existing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) – which confirm embodied carbon levels of its products from source to site – this verification adds an extra level of assurance for architects and specifiers looking to make sustainable choices.
Jacky Whiffen, SHEQ Coordinator at Lignacite’s Nazeing site, said: “Every claim we make about recycled content is now independently verified.
“It wasn’t a tick-box exercise. It was a detailed, three-and-a-half-month process that covered everything from site visits and materials trials to documentation, procurement and auditing.
“Our partners at Blue Marble went through it all – from how we source recycled sand and manage contamination risks to how much was used, when, and in which blocks.”
The verification process confirmed that the Lignacite ECO 50 and ECO 70 blocks contain 50% and 70% recycled content respectively, while Lignacite GP and dense blocks – including 7.3N and 10.4N units – now meet the 30% verification threshold.
To reach these levels, the team sourced and trialled new recycled materials from local suppliers, undertaking extensive testing to ensure the blocks remained strong, durable and visually consistent.
Jacky added: “We tested everything – different mix designs, moisture levels and how the blocks would behave in worst-case scenarios.
“Eventually, we found a reliable local source that now supplies our largest recycled material bay, holding nearly 2,500 tonnes. We’ve gone from using 300 tonnes a week to 2,500 – and we’re still pushing to go further.”
To maintain the integrity of the verification, the auditing process will be repeated annually for the first two years, moving to a three-year cycle thereafter.
Unlike a one-off audit, each verification requires the submission of comprehensive production data and on-site inspections to confirm that recycled content levels are being consistently maintained.
Sam McGarrick, Head of Advisory at Blue Marble, said: “This is the first time Blue Marble has verified recycled material use for a concrete block manufacturer – marking a new milestone in independently assured sustainability data for the sector.
“The level of rigour Lignacite applied to this process shows they’re serious about transparency and leadership in sustainable materials.”
The effort reflects Lignacite’s broader sustainability ambitions. The company aims to reach Net Zero by 2030, and verification of recycled content forms a key part of that journey. Unlike many products on the market, the Lignacite ECO Range is supported by third-party EPDs and independent verification of recycled aggregates, helping customers avoid greenwashing and make credible sustainability claims.
Lignacite has pledged to continue verifying additional product lines as new materials become available and as part of its long-term commitment to environmental leadership.
Giles de Lotbiniere, Chairman of Lignacite, added: “We’re not standing still – and will continue to innovate and further enhance our sustainability credentials.
“Our aim is to continue increasing the level of our recycled content and decrease the embodied carbon used to create our products.
“It’s about making tomorrow better by what we do today.”
More information on Lignacite and its sustainability credentials can be found at www.lignacite.co.uk/sustainability.