Green Public Procurement Construction: Impact on Wrap Specifications

Recyclable EcoShrink shrink wrap covers large structures, supporting contractors in adhering to new green procurement standards.

Sustainability requirements in UK construction are no longer optional — they are now written into procurement frameworks and compliance checks. One of the biggest drivers of this change is green public procurement construction rules, which are influencing how contractors and specifiers select materials for public projects.

Products that were once chosen mainly for cost or speed are now assessed on recyclability, environmental footprint, and end-of-life management. For temporary protection systems such as construction shrink wrap, this shift is creating new expectations and risks, but also opportunities to stay ahead with recyclable solutions like EcoShrink shrink wrap for site protection.

What Green Public Procurement Construction Rules Mean for Sites

Green Public Procurement (GPP) is the EU and UK-aligned framework that encourages public authorities to buy goods and services with a reduced environmental impact.

In practice, this means:

• Tender requirements: Public projects increasingly demand materials with recyclable content, clear end-of-life solutions, or certified lower footprints.

• Supplier responsibility: Contractors must show that materials align with sustainability benchmarks such as recyclability, reduced single-use waste, or compliance with ISO 14001 and BREEAM targets.

• Lifecycle thinking: Cost alone is no longer enough. Authorities want materials assessed across their whole lifecycle, from manufacture through to disposal.

For temporary site protection, this is a big shift. Plastic wraps, covers, and sheeting are now under scrutiny as significant contributors to construction waste.

The Challenge with Traditional Protection Wraps

For years, temporary protection has been provided using products like Monarflex sheeting, debris netting, or woven modular covers. Some are marketed as reusable, but real-world results often fall short.

• Short lifespans: In modular construction, textile-style covers may fail after just two or three transport journeys.

• Hard to recycle: Woven composites and PVC-coated fabrics are difficult to recycle, particularly once contaminated by adhesives, dirt, or weathering.

• False economy: Handling, storage, removal, and redeployment all add labour costs that can outweigh any claimed sustainability benefits.

From a GPP perspective, these materials present problems: they don’t offer a clear recycling pathway, and their short practical lifespan undermines claims of reuse. Contractors using them risk failing compliance checks on public projects.

Why Recyclable Shrink Wrap Meets the Standard

Unlike woven or composite textiles, EcoShrink construction shrink wrap is made from 100% recyclable LDPE. This makes a big difference in procurement terms, because it offers a clear and auditable end-of-life pathway.

Key advantages include:

• Recyclable stream: LDPE shrink wrap can be baled and recycled through established UK channels.

• Durability: Once installed, shrink wrap forms a weatherproof, flame-retardant seal that lasts for months, not days.

• Less waste overall: One durable application can replace multiple sheets of netting or short-lived covers.

• Compliance: Contractors can show procurement officers that their site protection aligns with circular economy goals.

In short, recyclable shrink wrap is practical in use and aligned with sustainability frameworks like GPP.

Cost, Risk, and Reputation

Beyond compliance, GPP-driven rules carry three important implications:

• Cost: Non-compliant products can lead to disqualified bids or expensive mid-project substitutions. Choosing recyclable shrink wrap upfront avoids these pitfalls.

• Risk: Demonstrating proactive compliance reduces exposure to legal or reputational damage, particularly where audits are carried out on government-funded projects.

• Reputation: Contractors who can show evidence of GPP compliance gain an advantage when competing for tenders. Public clients increasingly prefer suppliers with a proven sustainability record.

Practical Steps for Contractors

Contractors and site managers can prepare by:

• Auditing current protection methods to see if they meet recyclability and sustainability standards.

• Switching to recyclable wraps like EcoShrink that combine durability with an established end-of-life route.

• Asking suppliers for environmental data sheets and recycling guidance to support tender documents.

• Training site teams to install, remove, and segregate shrink wrap correctly for recycling.

Final Thoughts

Green Public Procurement rules are no longer optional. They are becoming central to how materials are chosen in construction, particularly where public projects are concerned. For temporary protection, the message is clear: solutions must be recyclable, durable, and support circular economy principles.

Reusable woven covers and netting rarely meet those expectations in practice. Recyclable EcoShrink shrink wrap, however, provides contractors with a safe, durable, and GPP-compliant solution.

👉 To future-proof your projects and strengthen your position in tenders, get in touch with EcoShrink’s for fully recyclable shrink wrap - Contact Us