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Materials

Construction is a resource intensive industry, consuming some 400 million tonnes of material in the UK every year. The construction and demolition sector is also the largest contributor of waste in the UK, producing around a third of the total.

Our sustainability commitment

As a responsible business, we consistently find ways to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment and society. We select and use materials that contribute to achieving this goal.

We have ambitious targets for delivering projects to high environmental standards. To do this, we assess materials in a number of ways:

  • responsible sourcing - we understand that our supply chain is key to our success in sourcing and using more sustainable materials. Our sustainable procurement policy (PDF) and sustainable timber sourcing policy detail our commitments to responsible sourcing
  • engaging our supply chain - we regularly engage with our supply chain, both directly and through our annual Supply Chain Green Solutions Award. Since its launch in 2011, these awards have attracted more than 200 entries, showcasing example of best practice. We also actively encourage and support continual improvement through the Supply Chain Sustainability School. Founded by Skanska, this virtual ‘school’ is a free online resource aimed at helping small to medium sized businesses become more sustainable
  • hazardous and unsustainable materials - we are committed to finding ways to phase out hazardous materials where viable alternatives are available in commercial quantities. We have a list of restricted substances and actively support our supply chain to remove hazardous materials
  • resource efficiency and waste minimisation - significant opportunities exist in construction to prevent waste from occurring and to improve resource efficiency. We operate in line with the waste hierarchy and are working on several initiatives which aim to eliminate waste to landfill and promote the circular economy
Last updated: 23/01/2017