Waste is generated by our business as a result of our operational activities, in particular sludge (biosolids) arising from the wastewater treatment process. We also encounter hazardous wastes including laboratory waste, waste from maintenance activities, waste electrical and electronic equipment, and surplus treatment chemicals. More reading on hazardous waste can be found under Hazardous Waste Tab.
We work closely with our contractors, partners and supply chain to embed sustainable waste practices across all projects. This is supported by Environmental Management Plans and Site Waste Management Plans, ensuring waste is effectively managed throughout the lifecycle of our operations and capital investment programmes.
Our approach focuses on reducing waste at source and promoting circular use of materials. Key initiatives include:
- Reducing waste to landfill through innovative foundation design and the designing of prefabricated pipework to minimise cutting and waste on site.
- Surplus excavated material being used to re-landscape sites, including the utilisation of surplus material in the development of a wildflower meadow.
- Improving and repairing field access and tracks for landowners after projects have concluded utilising site generated and surplus materials.
- Surplus concrete was used to construct a bench base for a local parish council
- Segregation of waste for re-purposing and / or recycling. For example, brick and concrete material can be re-used to construct haul roads and sand from filters is tested and re-used during construction into the permanent works (bedding for ducting etc.)
- The promotion of “off-site builds” which maximise efficiency whilst reducing waste and reducing health & safety risks.
- Sustainable procurement, such as the use of Concrete with high GGBS or PFA content (waste product from coal power stations) and the use of recycled aggregates within concrete.
- Reinforcement and piles containing up to 100% recycled steel content while out ductile iron pipework contains >80% recycled material content
Through these initiatives, we have achieved 98.2% of waste diverted from landfill, demonstrating strong progress in reducing our environmental footprint and improving resource efficiency.
In line with ISO14001 and driving continuous improvement we aim to increase the % of waste diverted from landfill year-on-year for all waste, in addition to hazardous waste.
Further details on our waste performance are available in our ESG Databook, with additional information on hazardous waste management provided in the Hazardous Waste section of our website.