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Minimise Waste

Our waste programme Target Zero- is focused on diverting waste from landfill and increasing the efficiency of materials.

Our target is to send zero non-hazardous waste to landfill by 2010.

The construction industry is the largest producer of waste to landfill - generating more waste than all 21 million UK homes put together. The government wants this amount to halve by 2012 and the first step was the introduction of site waste planning regulations in April 2008.

In 2006, we called for industry wide action with our Target:Zero report which showcased what could be achieved.  Our people are totally committed and in 2007, we diverted 81% of non- hazardous waste from landfill against a target of 70%. 

More efficient procurement of materials, recycling and re-use helped many Wates projects achieve zero waste in 2007.  We have a new waste management toolkit which is helping to improve understanding of waste management on-site.

We also work closely with WRAP, the Waste and Resource Action Programme, developing live waste management projects that could help to achieve an industry step change in reducing waste.