Unlocking the Power of Changing Streams Membership

In today’s rapidly evolving construction industry, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. As the industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, companies must adapt and innovate.

Many are doing great work to measure, monitor and reduce carbon emissions – but with an ever-growing mountain of research telling us the importance of considering plastic in the carbon agenda, not to mention its fundamental impact on our environment, wildlife and human health – are we missing a trick? 

We now know that carbon is intrinsically linked to the plastic lifecycle – it takes approximately 3kg of fossil fuels to make 1kg of plastic, producing approximately 4.5kg of GHG emissions. 

Over the past year at Changing Streams, we have been working hard behind the scenes, reflecting on the lessons we’ve learned since our inception. We have sought feedback from our network to better understand the challenges around plastic use in construction and have been developing innovative approaches to advance our mission of reducing the harmful impact of plastic on planetary and human health.  

As a Community Interest Company, we know we need to generate income to grow our impact, and develop our efforts in making the world a better place. We also know that to move the needle on reducing plastic in the built environment, collaboration is essential – we need people and organisations in all areas to be pulling in the same direction. So, how can we effectively share our knowledge and experience with as many people as possible, while making the most of our limited resources? We decided to create a members’ community, not only to fulfil this goal but to amplify our impact by providing a space for members to connect and collaborate with each other. 

Changing Streams offers a membership that equips individuals and organisations with the tools, knowledge and support needed to navigate their plastic and carbon reduction challenges effectively. Each member faces unique obstacles, so we’ve written this blog to explore those challenges and to highlight how the community’s features and benefits can provide value to our members. 

 ”We need to stay up to date with the latest sustainable practices” 

The construction industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and sustainable practices emerging regularly. Staying updated can be overwhelming. 

Changing Streams membership provides access to a wealth of expertise and cutting-edge research. Members receive regular updates on the latest industry trends, sustainable materials, and innovative practices. This continuous flow of information helps organisations stay ahead of the curve, ensuring they implement the most effective and up-to-date sustainable practices. 

How does membership support this? 

  • Newsletters: Receive the latest news articles, book recommendations, educational videos and thought-provoking questions 
  • Workshops and Webinars: Participate in expert-led workshops and webinars to gain insights into the latest sustainable construction techniques. 
  • Research Reports: Utilise detailed research reports to spark ideas, guide strategic decisions and inform project planning. 

“We want to educate and upskill our workforce on the topic of plastic in construction” 

Plastic use in construction is a new topic for many, and it can be difficult to understand the importance of addressing it. 

We know that supporting your employees to understand is one of the best ways to engage them and inspire action. When they know why it’s important, they’re more likely to feel motivated to change the way they do things.  

How does membership support this? 

  • Workshops and Webinars: Participate in expert-led workshops and webinars to gain insights into the latest sustainable construction techniques. 
  • Community app: Connect, collaborate and learn through resources and discussion in our app-based community hub 
  • Networking: Communicate and collaborate with other members to build your knowledge  

“We want to reduce our environmental impact” 

Even with the right knowledge, implementing sustainable practices can be challenging without the proper tools and resources. 

There is so much information out there, but being able to make sense of the information and translate it into practical action takes time and effort. If you have access to ready-made tools and resources, it reduces a lot of the thinking and legwork otherwise needed in-house.  

How does membership support this? 

  • Plastic audit guidance: Use our comprehensive instructions and templates to identify and reduce the plastic in your operations 
  • Plastic reduction pilot project 
  • Comms & Engagement and Project Management guidance: Access and utilise our resources designed to support practical implementation 

“We want our partners and clients to know we are working on our environmental impact” 

Gaining recognition for sustainability efforts can be difficult, yet it is crucial for building reputation and trust. 

And with fears of green washing or the additional time and effort needed to communicate your efforts effectively, it can be a minefield. 

How does membership support this? 

  • Supply chain engagement communication: Use resource templates to communicate with your suppliers to encourage change  
  • Certification: The Changing Streams Environmental Assessment (CSEA) certification specifically targets plastic use reduction in the construction industry. A dedicated certification with clear, actionable criteria for reducing plastic use and decarbonising the built environment. 
  • Social and Environmental impact statements: Sample statements for use in procurement and tendering processes 
  • Online promotion: Changing Streams will promote you on our social channels and website and provide Changing Streams logos for your marketing literature 

Conclusion 

In an industry where sustainability is increasingly critical, and with growing evidence of plastic’s harm to planetary and human health, the Changing Streams membership offers a comprehensive solution to the various challenges faced by construction sector organisations.  

By leveraging the benefits of this membership, companies not only stay ahead of regulatory requirements but also enhance their reputation, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Whether it’s through access to the latest research, networking opportunities, practical tools, certification, policy advocacy, or customised support, Changing Streams equips its members with the resources they need to thrive in a rapidly changing industry. 

Embrace the power of this membership and transform the challenges of sustainability into opportunities for growth and innovation in your organisation. 

Contact community@changingstreams.org today to join the movement 

Related News & Opinion

Download our Community App