Waste tyres solution to noise pollution

Walltransform launch Rubbercrete, a sustainable building product that uses rubber from waste tyres to soundproof buildings and homes.

Ensuring the sustainability of building methods has never been a bigger issue.

A recent government directive stipulates that 10% of materials for new builds should be recycled, and both BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes stipulate the use of environmentally-responsible materials.

The UK generates more than 450,000 tonnes of waste tyres every year and, since 2006, landfilling of used tyres has been banned under the EU Landfill Directive.

Therefore, the development of a construction product that tackles the used tyre issue is an ideal example of sustainable development.

Rubbercrete is a BBA-accredited plaster/screed that incorporates 70% rubber crumb from used tyres, which can be applied directly to walls or floors in order to provide instant sound insulation.

Rubber is a substance known for reducing noise reverberation, but has not been widely used in soundproofing before now.

Because Rubbercrete contains rubber granules and not raw rubber, it avoids the fire hazards normally associated with rubber.

Noise pollution is an increasing concern in today's evermore cramped urban developments.

Not only can thin dividing walls be a problem, but outside noise can filter in through front and back walls, too.

With many older properties (especially those used as social housing) in the process of being refurbished, noise seepage is an issue that must be addressed by developers.

Rubbercrete is a viable solution to this problem.

It beats the noise insulation provided by standard render by an impressive 5 decibels, which is equal to doubling the mass of the wall.

Typically, 54 DnTw is achieved on a single block wall at only 10mm thickness.

Compared with traditional soundproofing methods, which involve bulky sound insulation boards, Rubbercrete also conserves much-needed space in small properties.

Glen Melvin, Managing Director of Walltransform and developer of Rubbercrete, comments: "Rubbercrete is a simple and effective method of insulating a property against unwanted noise".

"Importantly, its recycled rubber content makes it a truly sustainable product".

"It substitutes the earth's resources - the natural aggregates used in traditional plastering and soundproofing - for recycled materials".

Walltransform has previously received recognition in a wide range of environmental awards for its thermal insulation product, Wall Reform.

This included being chosen by DEFRA and the RSA as a UK representative in the 2008 European Business Awards for the Environment.

Now Rubbercrete has been short-listed for the Waste Initiative of the Year at the 2008 Sustainable Housing Awards.

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