QbiQ endorses ‘Het Nieuwe Normaal’ for circular building
On 18 March 2024, QbiQ, along with other leading organisations from South Holland, took a significant step towards sustainability. The organisations signed Het Nieuwe Normaal (The New Standard), a manifesto for circular building. This signing, a milestone for the circular construction economy, affirms the commitment to uniform and ambitious circular objectives in the construction sector. Developed with partners such as Cirkelstad, Copper8, Alba Concepts, and TU Delft, The New Standard addresses the need for a standardised circular approach. QbiQ’s endorsement of this manifesto underscores our commitment to a circular future, with The New Standard setting the new benchmark for the industry.
Sustainability, functionality and design go hand in hand
QbiQ not only meets the stringent requirements for C2C certification, but we also attentively listen to what architects and clients desire. Our transparent and minimalist wall systems merge aesthetics with functionality, providing exceptional acoustic comfort for those occupying the spaces.
Key benefits of QbiQ include:
– Innovative PVB films in our laminated glass enhance sound insulation;
– Efficient use of resources through our minimalistic design;
– Like us, our suppliers are C2C certified;
– We contribute to higher scores on the BREEAM rating and the WELL Building Standard.
Moreover, our wall systems meet the C2C Silver criteria with 100% non-toxic materials, conscientious water and energy use, and socially responsible labour. They also excel in circularity and demountability. Designed for endless reuse without loss of quality, we set a new standard in sustainability.
Should office floor reconfigurations mean not everything can be reused, or materials become available, we can supplement materials as needed and collect the available materials.
The Cradle to Cradle Certified® certificate of QbiQ
Our Cradle to Cradle Certified® certificate and all details of our certification are published on the official site of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Inc.
Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Scorecard for QbiQ concepts:
- Material health – Silver, version 3.1
Our products are free from substances that can emit toxic gases, negatively impacting the work environment and potentially harmful in the long term.
- Circularity – Silver, versie 4.0
Our products are intentionally designed for reuse, and our walls are fully demountable. If reuse is not possible, we ensure that the components are 100% recycled. Thus, our walls meet the most ambitious global standard for developing safe, circular, and responsibly produced products, propelling QbiQ towards a circular future.
- Renewable energy – Silver, version 3.1
For our production, we partially use electricity from renewable sources or offset it with renewable energy projects, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the conservation of natural resources.
- Water stewardship – Gold, version 3.1
QbiQ recognises water as a valuable resource and contributes to protecting watersheds. Our production process is designed with a closed water system, essentially producing no wastewater.
- Social fairness – Gold, version 3.1
Throughout the manufacturing process, from the initial design phase, QbiQ considers the well-being of people and the natural environment involved. We are also proud of the significant number of colleagues in our team who, despite being distanced from the labour market, make a valuable difference.
OVERALL CERTIFICATION LEVEL Silver
Recycling
At QbiQ, we passionately commit to sustainability. The materials used in our wall systems, such as glass, steel, and aluminum, are 100% recyclable and reintroduced into the cycle. Currently, we cannot always trace the origins of these recycled materials because not all our suppliers provide full traceability or a ‘chain of custody’ for their resources. Despite this, we are pleased with the declarations we have received, confirming a significant presence of recycled content in our materials.
We remain actively engaged with our suppliers to increase transparency and encourage them to establish a chain of custody. Only then can we precisely determine how much of our materials come from pre-consumer waste and post-consumer sources. We also advocate for the use of sustainable materials and are committed to using green energy in our production processes to help reduce our carbon footprint.
Through these initiatives, we aim not only to reduce our ecological impact but also to raise the standard for sustainability within our industry.
