September 4, 2017 by Elizabeth Slow

MoD reports 92% recycling rate at construction sites

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported a 92% recycling rate of all waste materials at their redevelopment project in Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, and at Aldershot, Hampshire.

The development is part of the Army Basing Programme (ABP) and will provide single living and working accommodation for soldiers.

MoD — Construction taking place at Larkhill near Salisbury

In what is being described as the “largest infrastructure” private finance initiative ever let by the MoD, the ABP is a programme providing the facilities the Army needs to live, work and train in the UK.

Garrisons

Around 130 new buildings are being delivered at garrisons across Salisbury Plain Training Area and at Aldershot, alongside numerous extensions, alterations, refurbishments and demolitions.

The construction programme is being delivered by Aspire Defence Capital Works (ADCW) on behalf of the MoD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), under the 35-year Project Allenby/Connaught (PAC) contract.

David Keeble, environmental manager for ADCW said: “Sustainability is at the heart of the PAC contract and a key concern for the MoD.”

“Landfill is the last resort and we segregate waste on garrisons using dedicated skips and containers. We have targets to recycle or recover more than 90% of all construction waste, so we’re delighted to have exceeded that figure already this year.”

According to Aspire Defence, on some garrisons, waste materials are being reused within the construction programme itself.

“At Larkhill for example, demolition arisings are crushed and used as sub-base for new roads and car parks,” added Mr Keeble.

Waste streams

Where waste generation cannot be prevented, materials from ABP build sites are processed by M J Church, the principal waste management contractor for ADCW, responsible for careful management, segregation and removal of construction waste streams.

MoD — Numerous extensions, alterations, refurbishments and demolitions are also taking place

Wood is chipped for fuel supplies in the UK and Europe; scrap metal is sold on for recovery into new items; green waste is sent for composting; and, cardboard is used to make recycled packaging.

The company says demolition waste, plasterboard, UPVC, and polythene are also recycled and recovered.

Environment

Mark Duddy, ABP programme director, said: “Our responsibility to the environment within and surrounding the Defence estate is a priority. In addition to minimising the impact of construction works, a sustainable approach to waste disposal and reuse at all levels of the build and throughout the supply chain is cost-effective.

“Waste is being reused within the ABP build programme itself, as well as supporting ‘green’ economies in the UK and beyond. I am delighted that while delivering improvements to soldiers’ living and working environments, Aspire Defence is demonstrating a positive impact for the wider environment too.”