Tuesday 23 July 2013

UK builders’ merchant aims for zero waste to landfill

A UK building materials supplier has signed a deal with a waste management firm to help achieve its zero waste to landfill targets.

Under the contract, Biffa will convert Jewson’s waste into 3MW of renewable energy, which will be used to supply some of the manufacturing business of Saint-Gobain Construction Products UK, Jewson’s parent company.

Jewson claims to already have increased its recycling rates by 260% since 2006, with wood, inert and mixed materials such as paper and plastics being recycled as part of its plan to divert all residual waste from landfill by 2014.

Rod Leigh, Sustainability Director for Jewson said: “This particular initiative will provide protection from rising energy prices, while helping Jewson to meet its renewable energy targets through the sustainable management of waste.

“It is increasingly important that businesses break out of their linear mind set and look for opportunities to close the loop, particularly between waste and energy. Jewson is proud to be raising the bar for the construction industry both through high levels of recycling and this innovative energy from waste initiative.”

Last month Sainsbury’s achieved its target of sending none of its waste to landfill and Marks & Spencer claimed to have saved £135 million over the last year through its sustainability initiative. Gazprom Energy also signed a deal to buy power from a waste-to-energy plant in Scotland.