National builders’ merchant Jewson and plastic pipe manufacturer Polypipe have awarded nine youth sport teams across Scotland dual-branded sponsored strips as part of a competition. Earlier this year, the companies partnered to help support grassroots teams across Scotland by taking applications from junior sports clubs who felt they deserved a
Today is World Mental Health Day, an expert has shared their top pieces of advice for UK tradespeople on how to avoid burnout, after research revealed that more than four in five (84%) experience mental health problems due to work-related issues. The research was commissioned by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest
Real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has revealed the level of community impact created as it reaches the first anniversary of its charity partnership with Groundwork UK. As part of Firethorn’s commitment to ESG, a grant of more than £310,000 was issued to Groundwork in 2022, establishing a charitable
As Greyfriars Project Management prepare to take another multi-million-pound project they manage into construction, Jon Barnard finds it hard to believe it’s just five years since he established the business. “With construction starting on the site of the Great Yarmouth Operations and Maintenance Campus, it’s incredible to be able to
Salford-based MC Construction is blazing a trail after teaming up with environmental business Play It Green to reduce its carbon footprint. The company is the first construction business to join Play It Green’s Climate Positive Workforce programme as it steps up its drive to lower its carbon emissions and to
The company is committed to community engagement worldwide In recognition of its commitment to communities and sustainability across the globe, Doosan Bobcat (Bobcat) employees and members of its leadership team have been celebrating the company’s support of nearly 100 organizations and municipalities through volunteer efforts to benefit the places where
INTERNATIONAL M&E consultancy CPW is set to be featured in the publication titled His Majesty at 75: The leadership and Vision of King Charles III in recognition of the company’s continued commitment to sustainability and training the next generation. CPW has always placed sustainability at the heart of its business practices and projects. Whether meeting
Local housebuilder Story Homes recently held a corporate golf day and raised £8,000 for its charity partner, Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The golf day, hosted at Macdonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Club in Northumberland, saw 20 teams of four compete in a Texas scramble style format. Prizes were awarded
FIVE firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have landed in Morocco as part of national research and rescue efforts following a devastating earthquake in the country. The GMFRS team flew out to Marrakech on Sunday evening (10 September) and are part of a UK International Search and
A housebuilder delivering new homes in Telford has teamed up with a recycling solutions provider in a bid to become more sustainable and positively impact the environment. Miller Homes, currently building new housing at its Earls Grange development in the Priorslee area of the town, has joined forces with recycling
National builders’ merchant Jewson and plastic pipe manufacturer Polypipe have awarded nine youth sport teams across Scotland dual-branded sponsored strips as part of a competition. Earlier this year, the companies partnered to help support grassroots teams across Scotland by taking applications from junior sports clubs who felt they deserved a new sponsored kit. Having been inundated with responses, judges from both businesses have selected nine winners who’ll now receive cheques that they can put towards the new strips. The winning teams have been announced as Wigtownshire Youth Rugby and Stranraer FC Youth in Stranraer; Livingston Rugby Boys’ Team in Falkirk; Drumpchapel United in Paisley; Oban Galaxy and Rockfield Primary Team in Oban; Inter Galloway AFC Community Youths in Dumfries; Ceann Creige Hurling and Camogie Club in Glasgow, and Dumbarton Riverside Disability Football Team in Dumbarton. Speaking of their win, head of youth development at Stranraer FC Youth, Allan Jenkins, said: “Our town features prominently on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. We’ve got about 100 young people involved across four teams, from Under 13s up to Under 21s, who need kits and equipment to play with. Because of that, we regularly approach local businesses for support. We rely on goodwill, sponsorship and fundraising to keep our club going. “Winning a branded kit will be a huge and very welcome boost for us. All footballers love to put on a pristine new strip because it creates excitement and a buzz, so the team is going to be thrilled when we tell them the news. For Jewson and Polypipe to select us as winners is brilliant and is appreciated by everyone involved at the club.” Grace McBride, coach and club secretary at Ceann Creige Hurling and Camogie Club, said: “We haven’t had new kits since we set up four years ago, so they’re looking a bit worse for wear. Because we operate in a deprived area, we try to offer affordable training and provide equipment at no cost. We have tried to get sponsorship but it’s difficult now, with so many businesses struggling. “That’s why we’re so pleased to have won. The kids will be so excited to have a new kit. It will give them a sense of uniformity, to all be wearing the same thing at last!” Allan Davidson, Regional Managing Director for Scotland and The North at Jewson, said: “We play a vital role in the communities in which we operate, and part of our commitment at a local level includes supporting young people to do what they love. “A lot of applicants to our kit giveaway explained that they’re from deprived areas, and struggle to get the funds needed to refresh their kits. This made judging incredibly difficult as we’d love to support everyone, but our nine winners prove they go that extra mile to help young people access sports which change their lives, and we are pleased to be able to make that even more special through the provision of dual-branded, sponsored kits from Jewson and Polypipe.” Sean Lanagan, Key Account Manager at Polypipe, said: “We have a strong and lasting relationship with Jewson, so we were keen to be involved in this initiative which we know will mean so much to so many. “Being part of a sports team should mean feeling united through your kit as well as through your determination and desire to work together, and we are glad to have played a part in that for these nine very deserving clubs.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Today is World Mental Health Day, an expert has shared their top pieces of advice for UK tradespeople on how to avoid burnout, after research revealed that more than four in five (84%) experience mental health problems due to work-related issues. The research was commissioned by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, and the results have been published in its annual industry report. To help tradespeople avoid burning out, and explain the importance of managing workload, IronmongeryDirect has partnered with Liz Sebag-Montefiore, director and co-founder of HR consultancy 10Eighty, to share some expert advice. What is burnout? What does it feel like? Liz says: “With burnout, some will be depressed, lethargic and lack motivation, while others will find it difficult to slow down, hard to focus and struggle with priorities. “Burnout is a state of mental, emotional and physical exhaustion resulting from ongoing or repeated stress. The main characteristic of a burnout is that the person feels that they are not in control of how a job is carried out, nor in control of their workload and autonomy, and this compromises their sense of self.” What are the potential consequences of doing too much work? Liz says: “There are risks to physical as well as mental health. Overworking affects cortisol levels (the primary stress hormone) which can lead to brain fog, high blood pressure and other health problems. “Fatigue, apathy, depression and dissatisfaction and a whole host of other symptoms can make it difficult to see for what it is.” “Burnout can also lead to slip ups, mistakes and accidents which could be serious for the tradesperson, their client, colleagues and employer.” How can you avoid or recover from burnout? Liz says: “Even the most committed employee who enjoys their work will find that long hours of intense work can lead to serious repercussions – stress, burnout, absenteeism, decreased job satisfaction and poor physical health. “When they feel that they have little in the way of resources to manage their situation, it can lead to the feeling of being ‘burned out’. They need to regain control, motivation and commitment to the job but that’s easier said than done. “Try to pace yourself and reward yourself for what you can do. You could try mindfulness to relax and reconnect with self, purpose and wellbeing. “Take a hard look at your priorities. Get clarity on what really matters. Is there a real deadline? Is it urgent because of who is asking for it? Will it impact productivity or profitability? Where can you adjust, what can you decline, who can help? “Take breaks from work. Be sure to use any annual leave and leave work behind when you’re off – don’t work in your downtime! Try not to check work emails when you are off and say if you are not contactable.” Why is it important to take breaks throughout the working day? Liz says: “We need to be aware of the importance of recovery time in maintaining the wellbeing of employees. We should aim to formulate strategies that build in time for breaks from work and routine, with time for recovery activities, and policies and guidelines that address workflow, overtime and availability. “Better work-life balance will make you more productive and healthier overall. It seems counter-intuitive but taking a break makes you more productive. You need to reset and recharge and reinvigorate from time to time.” Why do you think so many tradespeople suffer from burnout? Liz says: “There are skills shortages in many sectors, including the trades. The work is there to be done and it can be hard to turn down. It can also be difficult to refuse contracts and stay on good terms with employers and colleagues.” Do you have any specific advice for self-employed workers? Liz says: “Rethink priorities. Establish boundaries, make and stick to schedules that work for your whole life not just your working life. “It’s hard to talk about burnout at work. It’s perceived as weakness, or lacking control, ambition or toughness, which makes it even harder for the self-employed. Friends and family may not understand the pressures and when people are relying on your income, it may feel like you are letting them down if you can’t cope. You have to be realistic about how much you can take on without damaging your health and future earning potential.” What is the best way to speak to your manager if you think you have burnout? Liz says: “Take some time to identify your concerns and make notes. Outline your concerns and any adjustments to your work that might help. Ask for support, ask for time if you need it. Burnout can lead to mistakes and accidents; nobody wants that to happen. “A good manager puts workers first by understanding how they work and what they need to work well, then they focus on personalised interventions that maximize job satisfaction, high quality performance, and productivity. “ To read IronmongeryDirect’s full Mental Health in the Trades report, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/mental-health-in-the-trades Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has revealed the level of community impact created as it reaches the first anniversary of its charity partnership with Groundwork UK. As part of Firethorn’s commitment to ESG, a grant of more than £310,000 was issued to Groundwork in 2022, establishing a charitable programme of activity that focused on tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the local communities Firethorn builds within – from food security, to unemployment, education and access to green space. In the first 12 months, the project has engaged with more than 500 school children and 450 families, provided 293 meals and recorded 168 volunteer hours across the country, as part of regionally-led initiatives in Leighton Buzzard, Peterborough, Ellesmere Port, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Barnsley, Northampton and London. Each of the seven bespoke projects have been designed to address issues specifically within the area of development, ensuring Firethorn’s investment is making a real and long-lasting impact to communities and individuals across the UK. The programme has so far achieved: Peter Mather, Partner at Firethorn Trust, said: “From supporting education projects to tackling the challenges of food poverty, we’re incredibly proud of the programme and what we’ve achieved so far. The partnership has allowed us to take a brand-new approach to delivering real, tangible ESG impact – working in close collaboration with community leaders to provide support where it’s needed most. Community benefit is placed at the heart of every Firethorn development and this important project is bringing that commitment to life.” Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and environment across the UK. Graham Duxbury, Chief Executive at Groundwork UK, said: “We’re delighted to work in partnership with Firethorn, and it’s been fantastic to see our teams deliver such significant impact via the programme – from young people in urban areas being better connected with nature, volunteers improving outdoor spaces for food growing and young people and unemployed adults gaining experience and qualifications to bolster their future prospects. “There’s more work to do and I’ve no doubt that our partnership will continue to deliver lasting change in communities across the country that are too often overlooked.” Firethorn’s ESG strategy is informed and guided by two leading industry standards – the One Planet Living Framework and the values of the UK Green Building Council. For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As Greyfriars Project Management prepare to take another multi-million-pound project they manage into construction, Jon Barnard finds it hard to believe it’s just five years since he established the business. “With construction starting on the site of the Great Yarmouth Operations and Maintenance Campus, it’s incredible to be able to look back at the scale of projects which we’ve helped deliver in just five years” says Jon. Begun in 2018, Greyfriars Project Management specialise in the delivery of major development and infrastructure projects. Greyfriars have solidified their position as a key player in East Anglia’s project management industry, providing their services for a number of high-profile programmes across the county and beyond. With a focus on managing projects which create genuine community value, they predominantly work with local authorities, charities, academy trusts and similar organisations, and have supported works ranging in budget from £250K to £500M. “We’re proud to have made projects which deliver real public benefit our focus and specialism. As an East Anglian business, it’s so rewarding to be part of developments which deliver such a positive impact on our community” adds Jon. Notable projects Greyfriars have been involved with include: the delivery of the Operations and Maintenance Campus which is in construction, a revamp of a community area for Great Yarmouth’s Middlegate estate, a £500M development of the A46 Newark Bypass, a redevelopment of Angel Road Schools in Norwich, new facilities for the National Trust at Horsey Windpump and Morston Quay and two of the ongoing A47 dualling projects. Despite celebrating just their fifth anniversary this month, Greyfriars have benefitted from Jon’s twenty years of experience in project management. With a background in civil engineering, Jon started his career with May Gurney. He completed his apprenticeship before then working in a number of local authority roles, including leading sustainable transport project delivery in the Greater Norwich area and managing one of the first projects to go through the Planning Act 2008 Development Consent Order process – the Norwich Northern Distributor Road. “Leading Greyfriars has been a new challenge, particularly leading a new and growing business through the pandemic. We’ve built a strong presence in the local business and construction communities, including becoming a committee member of Norfolk Constructing Excellence, invested time in training and development, benefitted from outsourcing elements like marketing – and created a great team which I am incredibly proud of” says Jon. Greyfriars have experienced rapid growth in their first five years and now employ 15 highly-skilled project management staff, with more set to join before the end of 2023. “The Project Manager is a very specialised role and we’re privileged to have found some of the very best in our region to join our team. In a construction industry dominated by men, I’m also very proud of our 60% female team” states Jon. As the Norwich-based consultancy looks ahead to the next five years, they’re focusing on growing the business even further: “We’re looking forward to the successful and timely delivery of all our current projects, as well as taking on additional exciting contracts. We’re eager to continue playing a part in delivering projects which boost the regional economy, and expanding our presence across the local community. Next steps for us include taking on an apprentice to help the next generation develop their skills” concludes Jon. Greyfriars provide full project management services, including programme management, procurement, cost management, masterplanning and more for clients in the public, private, education and charity sectors. For more information about their extensive service offering, visit: https://greyfriarspm.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salford-based MC Construction is blazing a trail after teaming up with environmental business Play It Green to reduce its carbon footprint. The company is the first construction business to join Play It Green’s Climate Positive Workforce programme as it steps up its drive to lower its carbon emissions and to progress towards becoming a net zero operation by 2038. MC Construction has signed up its entire 60-strong team to Play It Green’s online subscription service. For a monthly fee, every staff member will receive weekly tips, discounts, education and tools to help them and the business reduce their footprint. A total of 780 trees will be planted each month on behalf of its staff. In addition, as part of the same subscription, the North West Air Ambulance Charity will receive a regular donation as the company’s charity of the year. Ten per cent of Play it Green’s revenues go to each member’s chosen good cause. Play It Green, which was launched in 2021 by Chris Thair and Richard Dickson, is based in Manchester. The B Corp accredited business has grown to have subscribers across nine countries, including Sri Lanka, Germany and Australia as well as the UK. Among Play It Green’s members are Warrington Wolves RLFC, basketball team London Lions, Shire Leasing, Ecoegg, Levitex, Ikonic Technology, Affirmative Finance, Dains Accountants, Manchester Central and The Regency Club London. Russ Forshaw, managing director of MC Construction, said: “The impact of the construction industry is widely documented on the global stage. World leaders have committed to shifting towards a more sustainable future. This is a responsibility for everyone in the industry, regardless of size, and we are determined to play our part. “As a long-established business, our success has always been anchored to our core values, including taking responsibility for our actions. “By joining forces with Play It Green, we are showing our commitment to building upon our existing initiatives to tackle and reduce the environmental impact of our work. “We recognise that there is no quick fix, and that positive results will come from concerted effort, but we are fully committed to a strategic and determined approach to achieve our net zero target by 2038. Our partnership with Play It Green is a positive step on that journey and will help us make a tangible difference. “Play It Green shares our values and has a straightforward and transparent approach, making it a natural fit for us. I have no doubt that our fantastic team will engage with the Climate Positive Workforce programme, ensuring that environmental and sustainability considerations are further embedded in our culture.” Chris Thair, chief executive of Play It Green, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome MC Construction into our community. “The Climate Positive Workforce service now moves them to the next level by continually educating and rewarding their staff, giving them the knowledge, drive and tools to bring innovation and further positive action within the business. “Our model significantly boosts our members’ ESG credentials, helping them move to net zero and make a positive ongoing environmental and social impact. “We look forward to working with MC Construction and creating a brighter future for their business, local community and the planet.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The company is committed to community engagement worldwide In recognition of its commitment to communities and sustainability across the globe, Doosan Bobcat (Bobcat) employees and members of its leadership team have been celebrating the company’s support of nearly 100 organizations and municipalities through volunteer efforts to benefit the places where Bobcat employees live and work. On 12th September 2023, more than 1000 employees in 12 countries across Bobcat’s global footprint participated in company-organized projects, volunteering thousands of combined hours. “As an organization, we aim to create positive social impact to enhance the communities where we live and work, as well as benefit our neighbours,” said Scott Park, Doosan Bobcat CEO. “Our community engagement initiatives are a company tradition, and over the years, we have supported hundreds of organizations with thousands of volunteer hours all with the goal of creating a better tomorrow.” Impactful community projects across EMEA region In Dobris in the Czech Republic, where Doosan Bobcat’s headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are located, 179 executives and employees participated in activities including a city and forest clean-up project; bush and tree planting; fence painting and preparing a surface for a children’s playground. Volunteers used a fleet of Bobcat equipment including skid-steer, compact track and wheel loaders with various attachments to help in the projects making tough jobs easier, while increasing efficiency and productivity. Representatives of the town of Dobris and community employees joined Bobcat staff in these volunteer efforts. The Mayor of Dobris, Pavel Svoboda, commented: “With so many people involved at once and with the equipment used, we can really conduct meaningful and impactful projects in a short period of time to benefit all the residents and make our town an even better place. I am grateful for any helping hand.” Projects varied across all 15 of Bobcat’s EMEA business sites and involved 407 employees serving a combined total of 949 hours on behalf of their local communities. Their tasks included recycling projects, litter picking and a wildflower meadow restoration project, as well as various donation projects such as blood donation, food donations for charity organizations and money donations to fund local fire brigades. Bobcat employees from around the world participated in the initiative, encompassing the Europe, Middle East, Africa, North America, Asia, Latin America and Oceania regions. The global effort supports Bobcat’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments to community engagement, sustainability and responsible growth as an organization in the communities where its employees live and work. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
INTERNATIONAL M&E consultancy CPW is set to be featured in the publication titled His Majesty at 75: The leadership and Vision of King Charles III in recognition of the company’s continued commitment to sustainability and training the next generation. CPW has always placed sustainability at the heart of its business practices and projects. Whether meeting strict energy efficiency targets for the University of Leicester’s George Davies Centre, the largest non-domestic Passivhaus project, or decarbonising historic, listed buildings for the University of Oxford – bringing buildings to life in ways that are better for the world is key to its approach. This is in close alignment with the causes His Majesty has supported throughout his life, championing sustainability and working closely with business and leaders to tackle climate change head on. Neil Foster, director at CPW, was interviewed for the book, which is set for release later this year on 14 November to celebrate the King’s 75th birthday. Neil said: “It is an honour to be showcased in His Majesty at 75: The Leadership and Vision of King Charles III for our focus on sustainability, a passion that we share with the King. “The built environment is a huge contributor to emissions, so we are highly conscious of the impact of sustainable design and acknowledge our responsibility to improve industry standards. With every building we design, we aim to minimise carbon emissions and its environmental impact. That’s why we are so proud to be one of the built environment specialists recognised for our efforts in this commemorative album.” CPW’s apprenticeship programme, which was established more than 25 years ago, is also highlighted within the book and is committed to nurturing local, home-grown talent and bridging the skills gap by developing the sustainable engineers needed for the future of the industry. More than 15% of its workforce is currently part of the apprenticeship programme across a variety of levels in all offices, marking CPW’s investment into the next generation of engineers. Neil added: “It’s a huge achievement for the whole team, across all our offices, to be featured within the book. It’s a real testament to our dedication to sustainability, I’m excited to have the opportunity to showcase our ways of working, projects and apprenticeship programme within this slice of history.” His Majesty at 75: The Leadership and Vision of King Charles III, produced by publisher St James’s House, is authored by royal biographer Robert Jobson and will feature pictures by royal photographer Arthur Edwards. It is available to order on the St James’s House website. For further information on CPW’s sustainability work visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local housebuilder Story Homes recently held a corporate golf day and raised £8,000 for its charity partner, Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The golf day, hosted at Macdonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Club in Northumberland, saw 20 teams of four compete in a Texas scramble style format. Prizes were awarded for nearest to the pin’ on each par 3, ‘longest drive’ on one of the par 5s and ‘hole in one’ competition. Most teams donated a prize for a charity raffle or offered a charitable donation in return for hole sponsorship and paid an entry fee with all proceeds going to CRUK. Story Homes reached out to employees, subcontractors and agents in a bid to fill the team spaces and had an overwhelming response; as a result, the event was a huge success raising thousands of pounds for the housebuilder’s charity partner. Dan Ferguson, Assistant Quantity Surveyor for Story Homes in the North East organised the event. He said: “We wanted to organise an event that would raise a significant amount of money for our charity partner and it was great to see subcontractors, agents and employees come together for this very important cause. “We were blown away by the generosity of those who attended the golf day and are delighted at the amount we managed to raise. I’d like to thank all those who entered a team and made the event such a success.” Each year Story Homes colleagues vote for a charity partner to dedicate its colleague and company fundraising to, with activities and events planned throughout the year to raise funds for the charity. Commenting on the charity partnership and the golf day, Nicky McKenna, Relationship Manager for CRUK said: “Cancer Research UK is incredibly grateful that employees of Story Homes organised the fundraising golf day in September. “In a world where 1 in 2 of us will get cancer, we’d like to sincerely thank everyone involved for helping us to beat cancer. Every pound that we receive helps us fulfil our strategy to beat cancer sooner, supporting scientists, doctors and nurses. This money will help fund our ground-breaking research, our work to develop improved cancer drugs and our programme of practical information for people diagnosed with cancer. Cancer Research UK is working towards a world where everyone can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Story Homes’ dedicated fundraising will help us create this world. Thank you.” To find out more about Story Homes in the North East, visit https://www.storyhomes.co.uk/north-east/, or to find out more about CRUK, visit https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FIVE firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have landed in Morocco as part of national research and rescue efforts following a devastating earthquake in the country. The GMFRS team flew out to Marrakech on Sunday evening (10 September) and are part of a UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team made up of 60 operational crew members from 14 fire and rescue services. The team has been deployed through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office following a request for support from the Moroccan government after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake stuck on Friday (8 September.) The GMFRS team consists of Station Manager Martin Foran who is acting as Operations Commander and who also travelled to Turkey earlier this year to support the UKISAR search and rescue operation following the earthquake on the Turkey-Syria border. He is joined by Watch Manager Gavin Kearsley from Ashton Technical Response Unit, who will be a crew leader; Watch Managers John Hughes and Simon Cording from Leigh TRU, and Crew Manager Ross Strother from GMFRS’s Technical Training team, who will all be technicians. They are being supported back in Greater Manchester by Watch Manager Mike Hirst who is coordinating the GMFRS response and who also joined the Turkey response in February. GMFRS Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Barry Moore, said: “GMFRS is pleased to be supporting the national search and rescue operation in Morocco and we send our thoughts to the people of Morocco and everyone affected by this devastating event. “Our team of five highly skilled search and rescue technicians have safely arrived in Marrakesh where they have set up a base of operations and we expect to hear more from the team in the coming days, but we are grateful to them and to their families.” National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, Mark Hardingham, said: “The thoughts of the UK’s fire and rescue services are with all those affected by the devastating earthquake in Morocco. “A team of specially trained firefighters and medics from the UK has been deployed to assist following a request from the Moroccan government to the British government. “They will be providing specialist technical support where it is needed most to save lives and support local emergency service teams”. For updates, follow @Manchesterfire Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A housebuilder delivering new homes in Telford has teamed up with a recycling solutions provider in a bid to become more sustainable and positively impact the environment. Miller Homes, currently building new housing at its Earls Grange development in the Priorslee area of the town, has joined forces with recycling solutions provider Go Green, to provide a sustainable solution to its on-site wood waste. The trial period of the scheme began at the Telford development last year, and to date has seen more than 32 tonnes of waste wood repurposed through Community Wood Recycling, a leading social and environmental enterprise that has been recycling wood since 1998. Go Green introduced Miller Homes to Community Wood Recycling who have been using the housebuilder’s excess wood to create new products including benches, planters and bird boxes. Jo Stott, head of environmental sustainability for Miller Homes, said: “We’ve been working closely with our waste management partners over the past 12 months to drive waste reduction and increase recycling across our business, with our employees and trusted business suppliers across the group. “By working with partners like Go Green, we can find positive solutions for unavoidable waste from our sites, although our goal is always to reduce waste in the first instance. “We are very pleased with the outcome of the waste wood initiative at Earls Grange, which has contributed to achieving our 2025 waste recycling target of 75 per cent across all our sites ahead of schedule.” Haley Coggan, business development manager of Go Green, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with customers such as Miller Homes, who are dedicated to implementing the waste hierarchy in their waste management procedures and are actively advancing sustainability efforts.” Miller Homes’ trial scheme at Earls Grange in Telford is part of the national housebuilder’s wider plans to become more sustainable and achieve tangible targets towards its company goals to create a better place, where people and the planet prosper. For more information on the services provided by Go Green, visit https://gogreen.co.uk/services/. To find out more about the homes being built at Earls Grange in Priorslee, visit https://www.millerhomes.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands/earls-grange-priorslee.aspx. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
