When considering what materials to source we try to use recycled materials such as recycled aggregates, steel, wood and plastic as well as materials with a lower carbon footprint.
We are also working with our concrete suppliers to explore lower carbon concrete solutions such as EcoCrete® and Vertua® to drastically reduce our carbon output and work towards a more sustainable way of completing projects.
We often use bio fuels as a more renewable, biodegradable and lower gas emissions alternative to normal fuel. This is not only a more sustainable option, due to its plant-based properties it makes spillages less harmful to nearby watercourses. We also provide each site with spill kits to deal with fuel spillages.
In the office and on site we try to reduce the amount of paper we use by printing less and opting for digital copies of documentation. We have an interactive touchscreen display to view and markup drawings, display programmes and deliver presentations in meetings. We aim to go completely paperless in the near future and are putting the foundations in place to achieve this.
To ensure that we are operating responsibly and being environmentally conscious, we insist that all of our muck away suppliers provide valid waste licences and also provide conveyance notes/tickets for each load away.
We train operatives on site to stay organised and tidy throughout projects by sorting excavated materials into relevant piles and try to isolate recyclable materials to assist with the waste removal process.
Contaminated waste is evaluated to see if it can be treated or segregated from the rest of the spoil and is then disposed of correctly at an authorised facility.
There are many considerations that we consider when working around wildlife and habitats.
We undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) at the start of each project to identify, predict and mitigate potential impacts that the proposed project may have on the environment.
As a result of performing an EIA, we are able to implement a number of measures including:
- Site visits from ecologists and botanists
- Buffer zones to avoid protected areas and minimise disturbance
- Obtain all necessary permits from environmental agencies
- Fencing around habitats to prevent accidental encroachment
These measures ensure that the project adheres to regulations and doesn't make an unnecessary negative environmental impact.
