Last year, the number of people employed in the British Armed Forces numbered nearly 150,000. Of those, over 80,000 employed in the British Army and over 30,000 in the Royal Navy. However, over 14,000 people leave the military every year. This has become somewhat of a blessing for the construction
Whilst gardening is a fun and enjoyable pastime, it’s also one that can be decidedly challenging in some instances. Aside from the labour-intensive and time-consuming nature of some gardening tasks, it may occasionally be necessary to undertake more complex projects that make your outdoor space more accessible and functional. Whilst
Cornwall’s Brunel Recycling has added the latest string to its Mercedes-Benz bow, in the shape of a high-riding eight-wheeler with volumetric mixer body. Essentially a truck mixer and concrete batching plant rolled into one, the new truck is based on a muscular Arocs 4140K chassis supplied by Dealer Group Rygor
Vinyl vs. Fiberglass Windows: The Comparison Windows are one of the most important parts of any home that we have. These windows are the ways by which you can actually see what is going on outside your home and they also provide a means for light to enter the house
When it comes down to making a garden building more environmentally friendly, there are a couple of key things that need to be considered in order to make this a successful process. Throughout the construction phase, it is important to keep in mind the initial purpose of the building. If
Black metal ceilings are a key feature of HSBC UK’s new headquarters. Armstrong Ceiling Solutions were specified for key features in a next-generation UK headquarters building because they are the architect’s trusted brand capable of supplying a complete system. Armstrong’s B-L302 jet black custom-mesh metal planks were complemented by the
A new state-of-the-art £4million recycling ‘super site’ in Bristol is on track to be finished by the beginning of April. ETM’s new Turmec Materials Recovering Facility (MRF) is set to be the most efficient and effective plant in the South West processing construction and commercial waste and will be a
A challenge faced by a lot of business owners is being able to effectively manage waste — whilst saving costs by doing so. We’ve teamed up with Reconomy, the UK’s leading outsourced waste management provider of 8 yard skip hire services, to find out how your business can save on
The former warehouse facilities of Ridgeons building merchants on Cromwell Road, Cambridge will shortly be demolished, making way for a large new housing neighbourhood, as Cambridge City Council looks to increase council homes in the region. Local construction firm Mick George Ltd will imminently complete the demolition works on behalf
Bi-fold doors are massively increasing in popularity. Their aesthetically pleasing design has seen them become a must have feature modern homes, and, as the days get longer and lighter, homeowners will no doubt begin to look to their next home improvement in the form of the installation of bi-fold doors.
Last year, the number of people employed in the British Armed Forces numbered nearly 150,000. Of those, over 80,000 employed in the British Army and over 30,000 in the Royal Navy. However, over 14,000 people leave the military every year. This has become somewhat of a blessing for the construction industry, as it has created a sea of potential employees. Over 200,000 extra workers are needed before 2020 and ex-military personnel have highly transferrable skillsets and the potential to reach the top of the industry. Ryan Latham, Senior Marketing Executive for 3B Training, has experienced firsthand how businesses can benefit from hiring ex-military personnel. “Construction as an industry is growing, but it’s also is experiencing a gap in skills. An excellent way to fill in the hole for personnel with leadership, project management and teamwork skills is to investigate the pool of military leavers available. These transferable attributes are a valuable resource for the construction industry to help bring in skilled young workers. Other industries appear to ignore Armed Forces leavers as potential employees, so much so that some leave their service history from their CV. Little do they know that they are missing out on a range of positive personality traits such as courage, discipline, selflessness and respect for others”. Below, we take a closer look at what it’s like working in the military, what motivates members of the Armed Forces and why transitioning to a career in construction is the ideal next step for a leaver. Why do people leave the military? To understand why many people choose to leave the service, we’ve examined data from the 2018 UK Regular Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey Results which look at the impact of decisions affecting personnel. Life in the Armed Forces requires specific demands that aren’t found in civilian jobs. When deployed, military personnel can find themselves away from their families for long periods of time, often in dangerous situations. Yet despite this, we found that the most common reasons for military personnel to seek a new career path are down to more familiar concerns: Job satisfaction — Only 55% of military personnel claimed they were generally satisfied with their job. Pay satisfaction — There has been a consistent drop in pay satisfaction since 2010, with only 31% currently admitting to being happy with their salary. Life satisfaction — When questioning their happiness and how worthwhile they feel the things they do in life are, at least one in five members of the military rate them as low. Since 2005, the Royal Marines have also seen a large decrease in the levels of satisfaction with opportunities for professional and personal development. It seems then, that much like civilian jobs, careers in the military are more motivated by personal growth and satisfaction. This has led to a staggering 42% of military personnel actively searching for a new career outside of the Armed Forces over the past 12 months. Why choose construction? The construction industry is currently suffering from a skills shortage, resulting in a need for over 200,000 more workers by 2020. According to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the lack of skilled workers in the UK is the highest level since 2007, meaning the government’s initiative to build 300,000 new homes each year looks optimistic at best. Former military personnel have a great opportunity to fill the construction skills gap. There are many sectors in the Armed Forces which provide their personnel with a number of highly transferrable skills, whether that’s engineering, mechanics or electronic. A number of companies recognise the potential of military leavers and provide specialist training programmes to help them adjust to civilian life and a new career in construction. There are specialist courses available that provide Enhanced Learning Credits to enable lifelong learning to ex-members of the military or those looking to leave. These credits cover 80% of course fees and are available to anyone who has served a minimum of 6 years. Working in construction allows leavers to put their experience to good use in a number of potential opportunities. The industry is not only in desperate need of construction workers but also manager positions, which is perfect for ex-officers who have experience leading teams and getting results in difficult situations. What makes ex-military personnel a desirable workforce? When working in the armed forces, you receive a level of training that simply isn’t available in other career paths. Regardless of their previous role, leavers are all highly disciplined and have fantastic teamwork skills. According to the Armed Forces survey results, 82% agree that they have confidence in themselves as a team, plus, 78% believe their team know exactly what their responsibilities are and that their team can be relied upon to help when their job gets difficult. A strong team that can work well together and keep their cool under pressure is exactly what the construction industry needs. Many working in the military are proud of the work they do, with 50% of the Royal Marines claiming that their service inspires them to do the best in their job. With the construction industry looking for a dedicated new workforce, finding employees who take pride in their work is crucial. Leavers are not just job applicants to the construction industry, they’re assets. Due to their experiences in the Armed Forces, they can pick up skills much faster than most people in civilian professions and can help quickly fill the large skills gap. A team of highly trained, dedicated workers and authoritative, respected managers is the solution the industry has been looking for. Samantha Gregory, Training Coordinator at 3B Training and former Vehicle Mechanic in the REME, knows firsthand what ex-military can offer the construction industry. “The work ethic for military leavers is completely different from civilians. It is embedded in us to turn up on time (5 minutes before 5 minutes early) and to just get the job done. Leavers are great at working under pressure and are taught to work through
Whilst gardening is a fun and enjoyable pastime, it’s also one that can be decidedly challenging in some instances. Aside from the labour-intensive and time-consuming nature of some gardening tasks, it may occasionally be necessary to undertake more complex projects that make your outdoor space more accessible and functional. Whilst this will require you to comply with various health and safety and planning legislation, it’s thought that modifying your garden space can translate into an ROI of 88%. This means that you can add considerable value to your home by creating an accessible garden, and the question that remains is how can such an objective be achieved? Start with Your Layout – Considering Paths and Paving If you’re modernising your garden space, it’s important to determine its precise layout. This means dividing the space between paving, lawn and flower beds, as you look to compartmentalise the area and optimise accessibility. In terms of paving, this is a worthwhile investment in a new or modified garden as it provides an affordable and relatively easy to maintain surface area. Paving also provides the ideal balance between efficiency and cash savings, as whilst materials such as gravel may be cheaper they’re far from ideal for bins, children’s toys and pushchairs. From a practical perspective, paving with mortared joints tends to be easier, whilst this also prevents weeds from sprouting in your garden space. If you have kids, you should also keep clear of slippery materials like slate and York stone, whilst paths should also boast a recommended width of between 1 and 1.5 metres. If you intend to maintain flower beds around the edge of the garden, you should also look to separate alternative planting areas that negate the need for constant pruning and minimises overgrowth. This means that your flower beds should be secured and compartmentalised, with Marshall’s garden edging stones and caps providing a stylish option that strikes the ideal balance between cost and aesthetics. Some Practical Considerations for Home-owners In terms of functionality, there are other steps that you can take to improve your private or communal garden space. One option is to install an outdoor plug socket on the external wall of your home, as this makes jobs such as mowing and hedge-trimming far easier. It’s also wise to install simple and easy-to-use handles (or latches) on all external doors and gates, so that people can gain access safely at all times. If you don’t have the money to install a new or powerful water system, you should consider fitting an outdoor tap or a water butt that collects rainwater as it falls. These steps will help you to create an accessible and functional garden space, and one that’s inherently safe and enjoyable during the summer months.
Cornwall’s Brunel Recycling has added the latest string to its Mercedes-Benz bow, in the shape of a high-riding eight-wheeler with volumetric mixer body. Essentially a truck mixer and concrete batching plant rolled into one, the new truck is based on a muscular Arocs 4140K chassis supplied by Dealer Group Rygor Commercials. Built in Buckingham by concrete equipment specialist Utranazz, the Hydromix HM12H-E body features separate compartments for sand, stone, cement and water. These raw materials are then metered and mixed into fresh concrete when and where it is needed. The unmixed product remains useable indefinitely, eliminating costly wastage. The Arocs range is purpose-designed for construction work and related applications. A real head-turner in the operator’s bright red livery, the new truck has a ClassicSpace M-cab and pairs an advanced, 10.7-litre straight-six engine which produces 290 kW (394 hp), with a smooth Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmission. Brunel Recycling purchased its first Mercedes-Benz, an 8×4 Arocs tipper, from Rygor in 2015. To this, it then added another three tippers and a tipper-grab, before taking delivery last year of a hook-loader. All six of these 32-tonne vehicles are based on Arocs 3240K chassis; with one exception the tippers, and the tipper-grab, have Thompson bodies, while the hook-loader’s roll on-roll-off equipment is by HARSH. Family-owned Brunel Recycling’ headquarters are in Saltash, where it owns a fully licensed and permitted landfill and waste transfer station. The company’s roots date back to 1989, when Dave Venables established his landfill, which he then developed into a waste transfer station, skip-hire firm, and recycling facility. Today, having changed its name from Brunel Skips to Brunel Recycling, and adopted the ‘Remove-Recycle-Reuse’ motto which is proudly emblazoned on its Mercedes-Benz trucks, it provides a comprehensive portfolio of haulage, demolition, recycled aggregates and, now, concrete services to customers throughout Devon and Cornwall. Brunel Recycling’s graded aggregates are widely used for construction projects in Plymouth and the surrounding area. The firm also supplies top soils and biomass, undertakes site clearances, demolitions and muckaway work, and offers heavy plant and machinery for hire. His father – the owner of Plymouth Albion rugby club – having retired, Managing Director Brian Venables now runs the business with his Director brother Max, whose wife Nadine is Operations Manager. Brian Venables said Brunel Recycling’s experience of operating Mercedes-Benz trucks over the last four years had been entirely positive. “They’ve been totally reliable and are very economical,” he confirmed. “The Arocs is clearly built to withstand the rigours of our kind of work. The excellent ground clearance is a big advantage when we’re off-road, and it’s very comfortable to drive. The Arocs also looks and sounds brilliant,” he added. “It’s a seriously cool truck, and the guys love it.” Acquired, like its previous Arocs, with competitive funding support from Mercedes-Benz Finance, Brunel Recycling’s volumetric mixer is already opening doors to new business opportunities. “We do a lot of slabs and foundations for houses, and the new truck offers a very cost-effective means of delivering the concrete,” explained Mr Venables. “It didn’t come cheap, but this vehicle has added another string to our bow, and I’m confident it will prove over time to have been a wise investment.” Mr Venables also praised the service provided by Rygor Commercials Truck Sales Executive Marcus Cahalin. “Marcus is a joy to work with,” he observed. “I’m quite a fiery character but he knows how to handle me. If ever an issue crops up, as they always will from time to time, he remains very calm and ensures that it’s resolved with the minimum of fuss.” Marcus Cahalin said: “Every truck Rygor supplies is important to its owner, and we endeavour to reflect this by providing an appropriately high level of service to each and every one of our customers. Every now and then, though, a truck comes along which really stands out from the crowd, and Brunel Recycling’s volumetric mixer is certainly one. It’s a fantastic machine, and was a real pleasure to deliver.” www.brunelrecycling.co.uk
Vinyl vs. Fiberglass Windows: The Comparison Windows are one of the most important parts of any home that we have. These windows are the ways by which you can actually see what is going on outside your home and they also provide a means for light to enter the house as well. So, there is no doubt that choosing the perfect type of windows is really important. You need to weight your choices in order to come to a decision. Both fiberglass and vinyl windows are very popular choices amongst the builders and homeowners. Here we are going to build a comparison between these two materials. Appearance When it comes to window frames, vinyl and fiberglass might seem a bit similar. However, the vinyl windows come along with a proper join line which is situated in the corners. But then fiberglass has more of a wooden window look and appeal. The vinyl windows are mostly plain looking. When it comes to fiberglass, the color and style options are plenty as well. Installation The material vinyl is a pretty flexible one which can easily contract and expand as well. So, due to the flexibility, they are much easier to install and can be done quickly. Fiberglass tends to be a bit rigid and hence the installation is a bit difficult and it takes more time as well. You can choose Legacy Windows Service in New Jersey for the installation of windows in your home. Costs When it comes to the cost comparison, vinyl tends to be a little cheaper than the fiberglass material. So, most builders and homeowners who are in a tight budget can choose the vinyl windows for installation purposes. Durability And Strength Fiberglass is about 8 times stronger than the material vinyl. So, there is no doubt that it will be able to last a bit longer than vinyl. While vinyl windows can last until 30 years, fiberglass windows go up to 50 years and even more if necessary. The makeup of fiberglass windows is the reason for the strength. The fiberglass windows have glass fibers and that is what provides the strength to the material. Energy efficiency We have already established the fact that fiberglass has glass fibers in it which means that the material will not be able to expand or contract. So, it doesn’t conduct cold and heat. So, it is a better form of insulation than vinyl. Vinyl Windows Pros and Cons Pros Cheaper material No need to paint Doesn’t fade in sunlight Installation is easier Easily available Increase the value of the home Cons It will warp in the hot temperature Temperature fluctuations may cause expansion and contraction Poor air sealing Less insulation Fiberglass Windows Pros And Cons Pros The frames are thinner and have more glass fibers The insulation is a lot better for noise and energy control Doesn’t warp, expand, or contract Appearance is a lot better Increases the value of the home Cons It is an expensive material The installation process is difficult and takes more time Needs frequent painting Can fade in the sunlight So, that is all that you need to know about fiberglass and vinyl windows. Make your choice wisely!
When it comes down to making a garden building more environmentally friendly, there are a couple of key things that need to be considered in order to make this a successful process. Throughout the construction phase, it is important to keep in mind the initial purpose of the building. If your garden building is going to be utilised for the sole purpose of additional storage, less work and environmental factors need to be considered, whereas if you plan on using your garden building as additional living space, there could be further implications. Premier retailer of quality garden and leisure buildings GBC group have rounded up their top tips for making a garden building more eco-friendly. Design When it comes to design, there’s a key link between space and environmental factors. As with anything, smaller spaces are much easier to heat than larger ones, which makes them not only cost effective but friendlier to the environment. Be mindful of the size of the space you are choosing, if you don’t require a vast amount of space, select something moderate that will be kinder to the atmosphere. Placement of windows The placement of windows can have a significant effect on the eco-friendliness of your garden building. By working out the direction of natural breezes and the positioning of the sun throughout the day, you are able to optimise the amount of sun that will stream through the windows. This in turn should produce a heating effect and should reduce the amount of artificial heating required. Insulation Ensuring you insulate the building both appropriately and correctly is a hugely beneficial step in order to increase how environmentally friendly the building actually is. Using good quality insulation should create a consistent heating effect, by keeping the area cool in the warmer months and trapping heat in during the colder months. This in turn should reduce the need to run any electrical or gas heating and cooling units regularly. Using eco-materials Where possible, be mindful of the materials being used to construct the building. To help save money and minimise environmental impacts, try and source recycled plastic, glass and timber. This process should be much less damaging to the environment than purchasing the materials brand new. Solar Panels Although expensive and dependent on what type of outdoor building it you are considering, investing in solar panels is a potential option. As well as the huge environmental benefits, installing solar panels is a fantastic long-term financial investment within itself. There are a great range of solar panels available, and in most instances the more powerful of the systems simply wouldn’t be required. In general, garden buildings require very little electrical power, therefore the output wouldn’t need to be huge, so a simple set of cost-effective panels should work sufficiently.
Black metal ceilings are a key feature of HSBC UK’s new headquarters. Armstrong Ceiling Solutions were specified for key features in a next-generation UK headquarters building because they are the architect’s trusted brand capable of supplying a complete system. Armstrong’s B-L302 jet black custom-mesh metal planks were complemented by the manufacturer’s Bandraster grid and Axiom blind box on levels 1 and 2 of the “university” reception, marketplace (canteen) and break-out areas for HSBC UK’s new headquarters at 1 Centenary Square at Arena Central in central Birmingham. They were selected by regular Armstrong users TP Bennett architects who, while referring to the client’s design guidelines, wanted at the same time to innovate to create a new kind of headquarters for HSBC UK to focus on retail banking and training for 2,500 people. Located on nine acres of a key regeneration area for the city and the former home of Carlton TV, the 11-storey, 210,000ft2 building with three basement levels is constructed of steel frame with rainscreen cladding and houses offices, the HSBC university, a staff gym, restaurant and café, and an executive suite with catering. Extensive landscaping and external public realm works help to create a new “urban meadow” and public square at what is now known as Bank Court for developers ACDL – a joint venture between Miller Developments and Pro Vinci Asset Management. The Armstrong systems form the main feature ceiling in the university reception area and the key break-out and collaboration areas and comprise 283m2 of 1210mm x 687mm metal planks with 71% open mesh area along with 193 metres of 100mm Bandraster unslotted exposed suspension grid and 272 metres of 100mm Axiom Blind Box transitions, both also in jet black (RAL 9005). TP Bennett associate director and interior designer Francesco Tidona said: “We specified the Armstrong systems because they are a trustworthy company who are able to provide a full system which is convenient as it includes the mesh tiles and the supporting structure as well the proprietary Blind Boxes which we integrated with linear luminaires.” They were installed for main contractor GallifordTry over two months by a team of 10 from specialist sub-contractor Taylor Hart, a member of Armstrong’s national network of approved Omega installers. Managing director Phil Lewis said: “The Armstrong products were excellent, incorporating a Blind Box to allow M&E to install lights into the system in place of the Bandraster grid in various areas. The system was easily built and the colour march was of a high quality for each of the components.” More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/.
A new state-of-the-art £4million recycling ‘super site’ in Bristol is on track to be finished by the beginning of April. ETM’s new Turmec Materials Recovering Facility (MRF) is set to be the most efficient and effective plant in the South West processing construction and commercial waste and will be a zero waste to landfill plant. And after just two months, it’s almost up and running. After clearing the site for the installation, phase one of the build started in early January and included the waste screen, the largest part of the MRF, being lifted into place and the plant’s largest conveyor installed. The plant will have 26 conveyors to efficiently move the waste around the site. Phase two started in the middle of February when walkways and bays started taking shape. The entire MRF can be accessed safely via walkways, separating operatives from vehicles and the plant at all times. And with phase three almost complete, it makes for an impressive site. “We are very excited to see it up and running,” said Amy McCormack, Director of ETM Recycling. “People have constantly been asking us when it’s going to open, and it has already opened more doors in terms of clients who want to come on board.” Having spotted a gap in the market for such a facility, Amy researched and visited several plants and engineers over a two-year period and has worked closely with Turmec to ensure the plant was designed and built to meet its exact waste inputs, so it is completely bespoke to ETM’s needs. The build has not been without its challenges, not least because ETM had to completely redevelop their existing site, which meant demolishing offices and building new surrounding walls and concrete floors. Amy said: “We believe our position in South Bristol is key and allows us to respond quickly to our clients’ needs and covers a large area, so we didn’t want to move to a new site. “This meant that we had to continue to operate and process waste whilst building the new plant on a very tight site, which was hugely challenging. “It has been a big learning curve for all of us, but now it’s almost there we can’t wait to see it in all its glory.” For more information, visit https://recyclingbristol.com/ or telephone 0117 953 3654.
A challenge faced by a lot of business owners is being able to effectively manage waste — whilst saving costs by doing so. We’ve teamed up with Reconomy, the UK’s leading outsourced waste management provider of 8 yard skip hire services, to find out how your business can save on expenses: The amount of waste businesses dispose of can cost up to 4-5% of their overall turnover, according to the CIPS — this can rise to 10% in more detrimental circumstances. If businesses are not putting one foot forward to reduce their waste disposal spend — it will soon become a more prioritised concern. With rising landfill taxes, as well as recycling and sustainability becoming a main concern within ethical business principles, creating a reliable waste management solution is more important than ever for any forward-thinking business that is looking to make a change. The duty of care Under British law, businesses in the UK have a duty of care and a responsibility to dispose of their waste using the most appropriate methods. The requirements that you should meet are broadly as follows: Adopt the Waste Hierarchy principles in order to keep waste to a minimum by preventing, reusing, recycling, and recovering waste where possible. Store or sort waste securely in a safe environment. Complete a waste transfer note for each load of waste that leaves the premises. Check to establish whether your waste carrier is registered. This can be done by visiting the official Environment Agency Do not let your waste carrier dispose of waste illegally. As a producer of waste, the legal responsibility for safe and correct disposal falls on you, and not the waste carrier. You have a responsibility to ensure safe disposal through an auditable document trail. Storing waste in a secure location Businesses should follow our simple steps to ensure that their waste is secured safely: Use suitable and EU-approved containers to prevent leakage. Label containers in a way which clearly stipulates what type of waste they contain. Use waterproof covers — where appropriate — so that no contaminated run-offs are created. Use lockable containers to safeguard your waste. Removing the waste In order to have non-hazardous waste removed from your business site, a waste transfer note must be completed — an alternative can be a document that contains the same information, such as an invoice. It’s important to register with the correct services to complete a waste transfer note — if you plan to have waste removed multiple times, you can create a series ticket. Regarding the waste transfer note, your business and the organisation that collects your waste should: Fill in the sections of the note that applies to them. Sign it. Keep a copy for two years. Be able to present it to an enforcement officer from the local council or the Environment Agency, if requested. Lowering the cost of waste disposal After initially seeing the costs of waste disposal, businesses soon look to the best methods of reducing future costs. However, this can be a leap in the dark if business owners are uncertain of how to do this effectively. The way forward for a business is waste segregation — but to ensure it works, it must be monitored closely to allow you to create a report to see the volume and cost of waste from your business. From this you can set your strategy, highlighting your own targets and goals to ensure the best results possible when it comes to disposal. Technically, environmentally and economically practicable (TEEP) is something that businesses should know about. This determines whether a business should segregate and store various types of produced waste within the business premises prior to its collection by a waste management contractor you have teamed up with. Although Britain is set to leave the European Union, legislation that was put forward in 2015 states that commercial and municipal waste generators are obliged to manage the disposal correctly. They can use a third party to achieve this, but businesses will continue to remain responsible. The reason businesses may need to split their waste into different areas is to do with the environment — will this have created a benefit or reduce a negative that already exists? The overall waste disposal Automated systems have been introduced to help businesses across the country reduce their spend — whilst also giving them a greater insight of their entire waste plan. Through waste management portals, each business can have tailored permissions that help provide them with an overview of waste statistics and management information. If you would like to evaluate the amount of waste your business produced internally, start by visually assessing how much is disposed on a regular basis (it might be a good idea to begin when your bins are empty, then see how much space you use). It will allow businesses to have a greater insight if they reduce the amount of waste collections — giving them more of a challenge to save on waste and save the business money overall. They will have to deal with the limited bin space they have for waste ensuring that every decision is important. Carrying out these evaluations are vital for businesses to save money, especially with the landfill tax on the rise. The landfill tax price is set to rise further to £88.95 from the 1st of April 2018. With the cost of landfill waste rising year or year, it’s clear that businesses need to ensure that their waste solution system is driven towards recyclable methods to keep the costs of landfill waste to a minimum. Sources https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview/your-responsibilities https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview/sorting-storing-waste https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview/waste-transfer-notes https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advantages-and-disadvantages-recycling-business-waste https://www.cawleys.co.uk/teep-waste-legislation/ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69403/pb13530-waste-hierarchy-guidance.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/environment/waste-tips https://www.cips.org/Documents/About%20CIPS/Develop%20Waste%20v3%20-%2020.11.07.pdf http://www.letsrecycle.com/prices/efw-landfill-rdf-2/ http://www.letsrecycle.com/news/latest-news/waste-sector-creates-6-8bn-uk-defra-claims/ https://www.reconomy.com/portal#benefits
The former warehouse facilities of Ridgeons building merchants on Cromwell Road, Cambridge will shortly be demolished, making way for a large new housing neighbourhood, as Cambridge City Council looks to increase council homes in the region. Local construction firm Mick George Ltd will imminently complete the demolition works on behalf of Hill Partnerships Ltd. It is understood that Mick George Ltd have made considered efforts within the scope of the works to recycle much of the demolition materials for re-use, minimising traffic congestion within the area. More than 200 new homes are set to be built, with as many as 90 allocated for Council accommodation. A mixture of apartment blocks and houses will be created, alongside a park running through the centre of the site, car parking, a community building and access to the Chisholm Trail cycle route also. The new homes will be developed by Cambridge Investment Partnership, which is an equal, 50:50 Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) between Cambridge City Council and Hill Investment Partnerships, set up to optimise the use of the council’s property through investment in residential, commercial, and other uses to achieve social and financial returns. The 3.3-hectare former Ridgeon’s site will enable the council to take a big step towards delivering its programme to build 500 new council homes in five years, using the £70m funding secured in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough devolution deal, in addition to its own resources. The development will include at least 40% of the new homes as social rented council homes, owned and managed by the council, and let to tenants on the housing needs register at rents no higher than the Local Housing Allowance. Michael George, Managing Director of Mick George Ltd commented: ‘’This is yet another major housing development in Cambridgeshire that we’re pleased to be working in conjunction with Hills Partnership Ltd. We’re pleased that contractors and developers are taking advantage of the multitude of services that our business offers, and subsequently reaping the rewards.’’
Bi-fold doors are massively increasing in popularity. Their aesthetically pleasing design has seen them become a must have feature modern homes, and, as the days get longer and lighter, homeowners will no doubt begin to look to their next home improvement in the form of the installation of bi-fold doors. Studies have shown that the integration of bi-fold doors in a house, is perhaps more important to new buyers than a new kitchen or conservatory! What are bi-fold doors? Bi-folds are a type of door, usually made from aluminium or PVCu panels that are hinged together. Bi-folds usually consist of between two to eight panels, making them versatile and ideal for use wherever a transformation is required. Why are bi-fold doors so desirable and what will they bring to a buildings design? Stylish design – Bi-fold doors are no doubt aesthetically pleasing and their low-profile design, that ensures maximum glazing is achieved certainly contributes to this. The sleek doors are space saving and come in various materials, colours and finishes, to complement the design of most properties. Seamless progression from the inside to the outside – Bi-fold doors allow continual progression from the inside space and the outdoors. On warmer days, fully opening the doors will welcome in the summers breeze and allow the occupants to enjoy the sun. Boost natural daylight – Bi-fold doors, normally installed in kitchens or living spaces, are a fantastic way to flood a room with light. Maximising natural day light is great way to give homeowners their daily Vitamin D fix, benefiting their health. This will contribute to lifting their mood and increasing energy levels. Create a more welcoming and sociable environment – Blending home and garden instantly creates a sociable and welcoming space, giving the feeling of an extra reception room. It’s ideal to have a patio or decking immediately outside the doors, to allow the homeowner and their guests a place to relax and unwind of an evening or host a BBQ on a warm summer’s day. Increase the property’s value – Beneficial both as a developer and a homeowner looking to sell up and move, the installation of designs, like aluminium bi-fold doors from Quickslide are known to increase a property’s value by 5 to 10%. What to look out for when recommending or choosing bi-fold doors? Trusted manufacturer – It goes without saying, but when sourcing bi-fold doors, look for a reputable manufacturer that design around quality and endurance as well as aesthetics. This is really important, as if the doors are of poor quality you put the property at risk of draughts and rain water entering, quicker wear and tear as well as the possibility of the doors being less secure, if poor quality components are used. Energy efficiency – Look to the U-value; the lower the better. Bi-folding doors can offer excellent thermal efficiency, helping homeowners to reduce their energy bills. Weather permeability – Many designs exceed industry set weather standards, offering occupants the peace of mind that the doors will stand up to even stormy weather, and will not be subject to leaks. Security – The government’s building regulations require bi-folding doors to conform to PAS 24 standards in new builds and extensions. Look out for this when selecting bi-fold doors. It’s also recommended that even if replacing existing doors, you choose a bi-fold that has passed the PAS 24 testing. Also, take note at the locking system used, and whether there are options to upgrade to ensure maximum security.
