Robertson Group pilots new SmartWaste Scan app on BREEAM project

Overview

Robertson Construction North West used the new SmartWaste Scan AI powered mobile technology on the new Hawthorns Primary School project, which is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Using SmartWaste Scan on the site improved the efficiency of the data capture process for material delivery and waste transfer notes. Robertson’s participation in the pilot also helped BRE to refine the product and gain a better understanding of the benefits of using SmartWaste Scan to capture site data across the supply chain.

Background

Robertson has been using the SmartWaste software from BRE since 2017 and was the first customer to implement the SmartWaste API (Application Programming Interface) in 2018 for system-to-system integration with their waste contractors. Always looking to innovate and introduce new technologies, Robertson has been piloting SmartWaste Scan to further enhance site data capture in support of this innovative BREEAM Excellent project.
Hawthorns Primary School, a new-build £23m construction project, was completed for Tameside Council in September 2024. Hawthorns is one of six specialist settings in Tameside that work together to continually improve provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs in Tameside through the Specialist Support Schools Partnership (SSSP). This new school was delivered to the highest sustainability standards using BREEAM to independently assess the project and building performance.

Robertson Primary school in construction

Robertson Group, commented on its use: “At Robertson, we are constantly innovating and looking for ways that technology can support us in the work we do, particularly around sustainability. A significant part of this is the way we record environmental data. SmartWaste Scan captures on-site and ESG data efficiently and accurately by reducing the need for manual paperwork, making digitisation and data management easier.

– Abbie McKinnon, Group Supply Chain Sustainability Officer

We are extremely fortunate to be working with like-minded customers such as Robertson who are at the forefront of new innovation and have been keen to work with BRE to pilot and develop the SmartWaste Scan solution. Their feedback throughout the pilot phase has really helped us to further develop the product and better understand the use case for how SmartWaste Scan can enhance site data capture across the supply chain

– Stuart Blofeld, Senior Lead Trainer

Challenges

One of the key challenges for sites today is managing the sheer volume and complexity of data and evidence required to satisfy different reporting requirements including internal company ESG commitments and KPIs, client requirements, frameworks and other external standards. The data required is crucial for contractors and developers alike, to demonstrate their sustainability credentials, and meet ever increasing targets, but it often comes at a price. It can be resource intensive for site teams to coordinate and capture this data especially from sub-contractors across the supply chain. This is where SmartWaste Scan helps.

Solution

SmartWaste Scan can be accessed via any smart device including smartphones and tablets to capture and import photos of site material delivery notes and waste tickets. Using the SmartWaste Scan app the site operator selects their project and submits a photo of the physical document. Using OCR technology, the document photo is then processed in real-time to identify the materials and quantities delivered to site, as well as waste collected including an automated Duty of Care compliance check for the waste carrier and destination. Once verified the data is saved in SmartWaste for further analysis and reporting. SmartWaste even calculates the scope 3 embodied carbon emissions from materials as well as carbon from waste treatment in support of a company’s carbon reporting requirements.

With any pilot and new technology, it’s been a learning curve as Stuart Blofeld, Senior Lead Trainer at BRE SmartWaste describes; “We are extremely fortunate to be working with like-minded customers such as Robertson who are at the forefront of new innovation and have been keen to work with BRE to pilot and develop the SmartWaste Scan solution. Their feedback throughout the pilot phase has really helped us to further develop the product and better understand the use case for how SmartWaste Scan can enhance site data capture across the supply chain”.

Benefits

Through harnessing AI powered mobile technology SmartWaste Scan offers a solution to integrating paper-based reporting into a digital workflow. This helps support Robertson to continue to build on its ambitious sustainability initiatives and report on an ever-widening set of ESG and sustainability key performance indicators. Using SmartWaste Scan during the pilot, Robertson has that SmartWaste Scan can deliver greater efficiencies and benefits to the business around data capture and reporting.

The project is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating and was completed in September 2024 ready for the new term. The school building incorporates many innovations including:

Air Source Heat Pump technology for heating and cooling
Extensive roof mounted PV solar array
High air-tightness performance balancing year-round demand for heating and cooling
Extensive water saving features throughout school