Driving Sustainability Forward
As a leading Design & Build Contractor, we recognise the urgent need to take action and the importance of raising awareness to promote sustainability within construction.
In honour of Global Recycling Day, we're taking the opportunity to highlight the vital role recycling plays in protecting our planet and the proactive steps we're taking to minimise waste.
Read on to explore how our waste management strategies, supplier collaborations, and innovative recycling initiatives are making a difference.♻️
Recycling is a cornerstone of sustainability, delivering key environmental benefits such as:
🔹Reducing Waste: The construction industry generates over 60% of total UK waste. By recycling and repurposing materials, we can significantly reduce landfill dependency and prevent valuable resources from being discarded.
🔹Cost Efficiency: Proper waste segregation and recycling lower disposal costs, reduce landfill taxes, and enable materials to be reused.
🔹Lower Carbon Footprint: Recycling reduces the need for extracting and processing raw materials, conserving natural resources and cutting down the energy consumption associated with new material production.
🔹Protecting Our Planet: Recycling helps curb greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy, and minimise pollution, playing a crucial role in climate action.
Our Approach to Waste Reduction 🌱
We take a proactive approach to waste management, ensuring that sustainability is considered at every stage of the construction process.
🔹 Early Waste Forecasting - We develop Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) at the outset of every project, forecasting waste volumes to predict and plan for waste arisings.
🔹 Designing Out Waste - By incorporating efficient design strategies, we eliminate avoidable waste where possible. We work with our design team and supply chain to prioritise designing out waste, including material optimisation, modular construction methods, and sustainable procurement choices.
Utilising prefabricated bathroom pods and utility cupboards that are built off-site and then installed in buildings significantly reduces on-site waste and emissions. This method enhances sustainability by minimising material waste and transport needs while ensuring consistent quality.
🔹Pre-Cut Materials - Integrating pre-cut plasterboard into subcontractor orders significantly reduces offcut waste and ensures more efficient material usage. Pre-cut plasterboard is manufactured to precise measurements, ready for installation without on-site trimming.
🔹Takeback Schemes - We partner with suppliers to collect, reuse, and repurpose materials to extend their lifecycle and reduce disposal needs.
🔹 PPE Recycling Scheme - We ensure used workwear is disposed of responsibly, supporting a circular approach to materials.
🔹 Avoid Over-Ordering - We implement just-in-time deliveries to prevent excess materials from going to waste.
🔹 Comprehensive On-Site Waste Segregation - We ensure efficient separation of waste streams (rubble, metal, timber, plasterboard, and mixed waste) for optimised recycling and reuse.
🔹 British Gypsum Closed-Loop Plasterboard Recycling - We collect and return offcuts to manufacturers for reuse in new plasterboard production.
🔹 Baling of Cardboard & Plastic - Using an on-site baler can reduce the volume of packaging waste by up to 50%, resulting in cost savings as the site requires fewer skips for the same quantity of waste. We have implemented packaging balers on a number of our sites, allowing for more efficient use of space on-site and reduces the frequency of waste collection.
Responsible Plastic & Packaging Management
We recognise that plastic waste is a significant environmental challenge, which is why we are actively working to reduce plastic consumption and improve waste management.
🔹 Responsible Plastic Management Programme (RPM)
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We recently became an Engaged Member of the Responsible Plastic Management (RPM) Program. The RPM standard focuses on tackling plastic waste through a structured approach to plastic management that equips organisations with the tools to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic at scale.
Since joining, we have gained access to expert plastic management coaching, motivational sessions, and Plastic Literacy Training, and we now look forward to completing the Zero Plastic to Landfill Challenge.
Community Partnerships
As we continue to strengthen our commitment to sustainable practices, we have been nurturing our partnerships to implement a stronger recycling culture. We work closely with local community groups and charities to donate excess materials to not only reduce our waste, but to provide a benefit to local communities.
Community Wood Recycling
We have partnered with Community Wood Recycling , a network of 28 social enterprises dedicated to reducing carbon footprint and providing job opportunities to disadvantaged people. With 100% of the waste wood collected being either re-used or recycled, this partnership ensures that no wood ends up in landfill.
Compliance
Effective waste management compliance is key to reducing our environmental footprint. We ensure full compliance with industry regulations and best practices through:
🔹Verification of Waste Carriers & Facility Licenses: Before any waste leaves our sites, we verify that all waste carriers and disposal facilities have the required licenses and meet environmental standards. This ensures responsible and legal waste disposal.
🔹Tracking & Reporting: Our SustainIQ platform provides real-time tracking of waste transfer notes, recycling rates, and sustainability metrics, enabling us to monitor performance and identify opportunities for further waste reduction.
🔹On-Site Education & Reinforcement: To maintain high standards, we implement:
The Future of Sustainable Construction
As the construction industry evolves, we are committed to pushing boundaries and leading positive change by focusing on:
🔄 Circular Economy Principles in Procurement: We prioritise materials that can be reused, repurposed, or recycled, reducing waste and selecting products with sustainable lifespans.
🔄 Increased Recycled Content in Materials: By using recycled steel, eco-friendly concrete, and reclaimed timber, we reduce reliance on virgin resources.
🔄 Collaborations with Local Recycling Initiatives: We partner with local recycling schemes and programs like RPM to improve recycling and repurpose materials effectively.
Join Us in Being Part of the Solution!
By making small adjustments in our daily habits, we can collectively make a significant impact on the environment. Here are some ways you can contribute:
By working together, we can drive real progress towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. Join us in making a difference today!