Articles
Lignacite makes history with first-ever recycled content verification for concrete blocks
Posted by 
We’re proud to announce that Lignacite has become the first concrete block manufacturer to have the recycled content in our products independently verified by sustainability consultancy Blue Marble.
The verification covers more than 90% of the products we make, including the Lignacite ECO Range, Lignacite GP and Lignacite dense blocks – confirming the percentage of recycled materials used in each.
Why now?
As regulatory and planning frameworks become more demanding – from Section 106 Agreements to whole life-cycle carbon targets in the City of London – accurate, transparent sustainability data is more important than ever.
Our recycled content verification builds on the third-party Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) already available for our products, giving architects and specifiers a greater level of assurance when choosing Lignacite blocks.
“Every claim we make about recycled content is now independently verified,” explains Jacky Whiffen, SHEQ Coordinator at our Nazeing site.
“It wasn’t a tick-box exercise. It was a detailed, three-and-a-half-month process that covered everything from site visits and materials trials to documentation, procurement and auditing.
“Our partners at Blue Marble went through it all – from how we source recycled sand and manage contamination risks to how much was used, when, and in which blocks.”
What was verified?
The verification process confirmed that the Lignacite ECO 50 and ECO 70 blocks contain 50% and 70% recycled content, respectively, while Lignacite GP and dense blocks – including 7.3N and 10.4N units – now meet the 30% verification threshold.
To reach these levels, the team sourced and trialled new recycled materials from local suppliers, undertaking extensive testing to ensure the blocks remained strong, durable and visually consistent.
“We tested everything – different mix designs, moisture levels, and how the blocks would behave in worst-case scenarios,” Jacky adds.
“Eventually, we found a reliable local source that now supplies our largest recycled material bay, holding nearly 2,500 tonnes. We’ve gone from using 300 tonnes a week to 2,500 – and we’re still pushing to go further.”
Built for accountability
This isn’t a one-off exercise. To keep our claims credible, the verification process will be repeated annually for the first two years, and then move to a three-year cycle. Each review will include site inspections and a full submission of production data to ensure that recycled content levels are being consistently maintained.
“This is the first time Blue Marble has verified recycled material use for a concrete block manufacturer – marking a new milestone in independently assured sustainability data for the sector,” says Sam McGarrick, Head of Advisory at Blue Marble.
“The level of rigour Lignacite applied to this process shows they’re serious about transparency and leadership in sustainable materials.”
This achievement supports our wider sustainability ambitions. We’re working towards Net Zero by 2030, and independent verification of recycled content is just one of the ways we’re ensuring that progress is real, measurable and transparent.
Unlike many products on the market, the Lignacite ECO Range is backed by both EPDs and independent verification of recycled aggregates – helping our customers avoid greenwashing and confidently demonstrate carbon savings.
We’re also committed to verifying additional products as new materials become available, continuing to raise the bar across our industry.
“We’re not standing still – and will continue to innovate and enhance our sustainability credentials,” says Giles de Lotbiniere, Chairman of Lignacite.
“Our aim is to continue increasing the level of our recycled content and decreasing the embodied carbon used to create our products.
“It’s about making tomorrow better by what we do today.”
Want to know more?
Visit our Sustainability Hub to explore our latest initiatives, or take a closer look at the Lignacite ECO Range for product specifications, EPDs and carbon-saving tools.
If you’d like to speak to our team about verification, specifications, or low-carbon delivery options, please get in touch.
