The next version of the Home Quality Mark (HQM) scheme – HQM ONE is now out for consultation. Below are 5 things you need to know about the proposed changes to the scheme: Please visit the consultation website to download the scheme manual and to know how you can provide feedback. Consultation closes on 16th February … Continue reading “5 things you need to know about HQM ONE”
For many industries, organisations and businesses, waste and environmental impact is a necessary by-product of the various activities undertaken. Under the 1990 Environmental Protection Act it is a business’s own responsibility to ensure the proper disposal of any waste produced. This is referred to as the Duty of Care. However, how to manage disposal (and … Continue reading “Responsibility for environmental irresponsibility”
The circular economy aims to change the linear process in which materials are made, used and then disposed. Rather than throwing away, when a material comes to the end of its service it can be reused or regenerated into new products. The material is viewed as a resource rather than waste. BRE is a key … Continue reading “Buildings as materials banks – Enabling a circular way of building”
The Environment Agency, with the help of BRE, has just published a new Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) guidance document as part of a waste site operator permit. It requires strict limits on waste pile sizes and how they are stored in order to reduce the risk of fires. The guidance was developed following close collaboration … Continue reading “Reducing the risk of fires on Waste Sites”
On Friday 25 November (that’s tomorrow, folks!) our high streets, shopping centres and computers will play host to the busiest consumer day of the year – Black Friday. This day signals the start of a manic weekend of ‘deals’ in the lead up to Christmas. Now who doesn’t like to get a new TV at … Continue reading “Black Friday – The sustainability and safety cost”
This week it is the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR); an initiative aiming to raise awareness regarding sustainable resourcing and waste management within private and public sectors as well as the general public. One of the core messages of the EWWR awareness week are the “3Rs” – reduce, reuse and recycle. These actions for … Continue reading “Moving up the waste hierarchy – European Week for Waste Reduction”
Recently, BRE Digital Tools’ Jo Goodwin spoke to Callum Scott, CWCL Project Sustainability Manager for Canary Wharf Contractors, to find out more about their experience with BRE SMARTWaste. Callum explained what challenge they were facing and how SMARTWaste helps their business.
SMARTWaste Case Study Interview: Canary Wharf Contractors Limited Earlier this month, BRE Digital Tools’ Jo Goodwin sat with Callum Scott, Project Sustainability Manager for Canary Wharf Contractors Limited, (CWCL) the construction arm of the Canary Wharf Group, to find out more about their experiences with BRE SMARTWaste and how this helps their business. Callum talks … Continue reading ““Credible data driving environmental performance improvements””
It’s always best, when considering demolishing a building, to ask certain questions before beginning any work – even planning work. The first, and perhaps the biggest, is to ask why are you wanting to demolish the existing site – can it be redeveloped or can elements of the site be kept? A pre demolition audit … Continue reading “Do you really need to demolish that site?”
On 22 April, Heads of State and Government will gather in New York to sign the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement that was secured last year in December. In preparation for the event, UNFCCC has launched a campaign, encouraging everyone across the world to become part of the change that is happening by posting a … Continue reading “Guy Hammersley: What the Paris Agreement means for me”
