Environment Minister Dan Norris has called on the UK construction industry to embrace the financial and environmental opportunities that waste reduction can offer. Recent analyses suggest that if just 40 percent of projects adopted good practice nationally by 2012, a collective net saving of over £300 million could be achieved.

The call to action came as part of an event marking the first anniversary of WRAP’s (Waste & Resources Action Programme) Construction Commitments: Halving Waste to Landfill. The voluntary agreement, which was launched by WRAP to support industry in delivering upon Government-Industry targets to halve construction waste to landfill by 2012, already has commitments with the potential to reduce the current total of some 20 million tonnes going to landfill by three million tonnes.

Speaking at the event, Environment Secretary Dan Norris said: “The construction industry has been through one of its toughest ever years. Hundreds of millions of pounds can be saved by the industry, and significant environmental benefits delivered, through reducing and reusing construction waste. The industry is already taking action, and they need to continue building on what they have already achieved.”

Since its launch in October 2008, the voluntary agreement has attracted over 200 signatories, including such wide ranging organisations as the Olympic Delivery Authority; British Land; Marks & Spencer; ASDA; Balfour Beatty; Laing O’Rourke; and Crossrail, who, combined, influence more than a quarter of the UK’s £100bn national construction spend per year.

For ASDA, one of the early signatories to the WRAP Commitment, the agreement has offered the opportunity to extend its existing sustainability commitments to its construction programmes. Bob Simpson, Head of Sustainable Development for the retail giant, commented: “For us, waste is cash and any prudent business will be focusing on their bottom line right now. We already have a corporate commitment to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2010, and any environmental or financial savings that we make by reducing or reprocessing waste can be reinvested into our stores and customers.”

As the focus for the agreement turns to maintaining momentum over the next 12 months, Marcus Gover, Director responsible for construction at WRAP, issued a decisive call to action: “Signing up is just the first step; the industry now needs to realise the benefits of the commitment.”

For further information on WRAP’s Construction Commitments: Halving Waste to Landfill, a list of all signatories and information on the tools and resources WRAP has available visit wrap.org.uk.

Quelle: Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

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