improving the environment

At Wates, business success has always been partnered with social and environmental responsibility. We show our commitment through leadership, working closely with like-minded organisations to influence public policy, to promote new ideas and to transform industry practice.

In terms of the environment, we are working on two key strategic areas: minimising waste and increasing the use of sustainable materials and reducing carbon.

We are providing leadership in waste issues, working with customers and suppliers to deliver innovative waste solutions and increasing specification of sustainable materials. By monitoring and reporting on our performance, we are driving ourselves to deliver on those objectives. Our over-arching target of zero non-hazardous waste to landfill by 2010 is an industry leading programme.

Our target is to achieve a 10% year on year reduction in total carbon emissions by working with our customers to deliver low carbon buildings, making our business travel green and ensuring our offices and site set-ups are more energy efficient.

• 92% waste diverted from landfill against our 2009 target of 91%
• 3% reduction in C02 emissions from travel
• Associate member of Considerate Constructors Scheme (hyperlink to certificate). 150 sites visited in 2009 giving a Group score of 33.98 against an industry average score of 31.8
• 89% Environmental Index results (part of the Business in the Community CR index)

• Winner Sustainable Contractor of the Year award at the 2008 Building Sustainability Awards

To download a PDF of our Environmental policy click here