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Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future
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The race towards sustainability in the home is set to accelerate. Bathroom innovation and design has come a long way in recent years and the industry has done much to meet the challenges and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association says that more is to come
But how does a plumber determine which are the best and most water efficient bathroom products?
The Latest Products
There have been major breakthroughs in WC design recently. Pans which flush successfully and legally with as little as 4 litres (single or dual flush) are now quite common. Their development has been fast - they were still on the drawing board only two years ago. In taps ‘click-stop technology’, which helps the user to ‘feel’ how much water is being used, is no longer a luxury but it has now reached the big DIY and national home shopping stores in a major way. In showering, aerated shower heads and new electric showers have also reduced water consumption.
The Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) based in Stoke-on-Trent is a trade association which represents almost 80 well known bathroom brands operating on the UK. The BMA has done much to publicise and generate interest in these important new products and the launch of the Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme two years ago has revolutionised the way in which eco-aware consumers and installers select items for a new bathroom.
The scheme, which is controlled by experts within the industry, is entirely web-based and consists of a huge database of bathroom products which fully conform to the strict requirements of the scheme. Continuous testing ensures that the list remains up-to-date and relevant.
The website at www.water-efficiency.org.uk is fully searchable and manufacturers of the all the products listed are allowed to use the coveted Water Efficient Label in any publicity and product literature and, of course, on the product itself.
Yvonne Orgill, Chief Executive of the BMA is pleased and surprised at how popular the scheme has become. “Sustainability is on everyone’s lips at the moment and the labelling scheme website is becoming increasingly busy as users search out the best available eco-friendly products to meet their needs. The scheme is under constant review and the database is expanding.”
It is an exciting time in bathrooms and 2009 will see a major push for sustainability in the home. There is a lot going on and all the latest bathroom brochures can be ordered direct from www.bathroom-association.org
Further Information
For further information please email info@bathroom-association.org.uk or
telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org

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