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The construction of new passenger tunnels between existing platforms at Kennington Station had to be completed within a 16-week window and works were required 24/7. There was insufficient power supply available from the station and therefore a large external diesel generator was required. The generator had to be located very near to residential properties and there was concern over the…

The Solatainer is a new innovative power source for site compounds. The unit combines solar, generator, battery and for the first time in the UK, wind to provide renewable energy for running the site. During its first month on site, we have observed a 27% reduction in the total cost and over a 87% reduction in carbon dioxide production when…

Offsite fabrication of building services has been utilised across the construction industry for many years. As Building Information Modelling (BIM) has grown, buildings have become more complex which has created several benefits, as well as challenges in construction. The AstraZeneca New Cambridge site project has extended the building services module construction approach to include the raised access floor area of…

Used cooking oil from the site canteen is collected by a specialist company who then transform it into biodiesel. This is used for powering diesel vehicles and also for heating. Any packaging related to the cooking oil is also recycled. The collection is free of charge and the company delivers fresh cooking oil at the same time as making the…

Environmental awareness and carbon reduction is increasingly important when tendering for projects. Contractors must demonstrate a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. See the examples below for how Laing O’Rourke won National Grid’s first contract with carbon weighting: The contractor implemented a number of modifications to the build design to reduce material use and ensure carbon reduction. At the tender…

It is important to recognise that a site’s environmental impact goes well beyond the site boundary. A significant environmental impact of construction is in the production of the materials used, but it is also important to consider the impact of their transportation at both a local and wider level. Although concrete batching plants are often in reasonably close proximity to…

There are many different drivers to reducing and eliminating waste on construction projects. A simple way of reducing waste where possible, and significantly reducing the numbers of vehicles coming to and from site from waste removal is a compactor or baler. Cardboard and plastic waste being baled not only saves space on site, but reduces costs in skips and decreases…

Tunnelling works such as those involved in the London Underground extension can pose a number of logistical concerns and safety risks. See the examples below for how one site addressed this: Used Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) in concrete invert reinforcement bases at the step plate junction. GFRP reinforcement is 75% lighter than traditional steel reinforcement. The weight reduction reduced…

When we know what our carbon footprint is then we can act. GRAHAM Construction and Low Level Waste Repository Ltd therefore calculated the carbon footprint of their Engineering, Design and Construction Framework (EDCF). It is important to the framework that once the footprint was calculated that it was displayed in a manner which was easily understandable and relevant to all…

By returning HDPE membrane off-cuts from site to Newton headquarters in Tonbridge via backloads, the material is then initially processed in-house. Working closely with the UK’s largest non-profit recycling organisation RECOUP in order to set up the necessary relationships with both a plastics reprocessor and an end-manufacturer who will use the recycled material. Newton is the first waterproofing materials supplier…

Climate change is an issue which affects us all, and construction sites must be mindful of their contribution to this process. Specifically, sites should monitor their carbon emissions and make efforts to reduce and offset these emissions where possible. See the examples below for how one site addressed this issue: Implemented a carbon sequestration initiative, which refers to carbon capture…

Costain Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) have an extremely detailed carbon model which is updated monthly to reflect fuel usage, electricity consumption and vehicle movement to and from site. However, where CSJV have gone over and above other site is our reporting of scope 3, i.e. embodied carbon and indirect transport. CSJV have expanded the carbon reporting model to include an…

Using modern and innovative equipment can improve sustainable procurement. It is therefore important to be aware what alternative working methods of equipment could be most effectively used for the job. This doesn’t just mean productivity, but also other benefits such as environmental impact, health, safety and cost saving. The example below shows how one site achieved this: The contractor has…

Construction, housing and property group Willmott Dixon uses a lot of fuel in the course of its business. Newer plant, hybrid generators, low emission company cars and energy efficient cabins are some of the ways in which Willmott Dixon is working towards its target of halving emissions intensity by 2020 (compared with 2010). Since 2012, the company has offset its…

The new build University Technical College (UTC) in Warrington will comprise a series of engineering and specialists workshops, a lecture theatre, science laboratories and general teaching spaces for up to 620 students and staff. The construction project is being powered via photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on the roof of the adjacent building – The Base – previously constructed by the…