University News Last updated 14 April 2009
Birmingham City University is one of the first universities in the country to commit to reducing the amount of construction waste it sends to landfill.
The University's City Centre Campus Project has signed up to the WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) Halving Waste to Landfill voluntary agreement. This means that the organisers of the project will set targets to reduce the amount of construction, demolition and excavation waste sent to landfill by 2012.
The City Centre Campus Project is a £150 million development that will include fully operational television studios, a library, art and design workshops, performance theatre, lecture theatres and a learning resource centre. The new site will incorporate cutting edge technologies to enhance the student experience and support business engagement.
The project team are currently working with WRAP to identify what levels of waste are sent to landfill on similar projects and will then set targets for reducing waste for the City Centre Campus. The initial design and specification of the buildings will focus on how to avoid the potential for materials to be wasted. By setting targets and including these in any procurement documents, the project will also ensure that the contractors managing the construction will focus on re-use and recycling of all waste created.
Peter Cochrane, Assistant Director of Estates at Birmingham City University, said: "Sustainability is a key driver for the University and to embrace WRAP's voluntary Halving Waste to Landfill Commitment not only proves our commitment but also offers some potential cost benefits."
Dr Mike Watson, Head of Construction at WRAP, said: "We are pleased that Birmingham City University's City Centre Campus Project has committed to play its part in halving the amount of construction, demolition and excavation waste going to landfill by 2012.
"Organisations which sign up to the ‘Halving Waste to Landfill' voluntary agreement are demonstrating that they take the issue of waste seriously and will be key to helping reduce the twenty five million tonnes of construction waste which are dumped in landfill every year. They will benefit not only from cost savings and greater resource efficiency, but also play their part in combating climate change."
Currently £1.5 billion is spent annually on wasted materials across the construction industry. By setting targets to reduce waste to landfill, embedding these targets in corporate policies and in all procurement processes, and engaging with suppliers, universities can help prevent materials being wasted on their construction projects and reduce the impact of waste being landfilled.