Representatives from retailers including Marks and Spencer, Wates Retail and Lush attended the London round-table event, hosted by Hippowaste, to discuss a perceived lack of attention that is being paid to the amount of construction waste sent to landfill by the retail industry.
This debate shed light on a generally forgotten issue which if addressed in the most simple and consistent ways, could have a far greater impact on reducing the amount of retail construction waste both generated and sent to landfill
James Bennett, Hippowaste
The event attempted to explore why issues such as plastic bag and packaging recycling were generally a higher priority within retailers' sustainability plans, and what could be done to increase their awareness of the construction waste issue.
Hippowaste chief executive James Bennett, who chaired the meeting, said: “This debate shed light on a generally forgotten issue which if addressed in the most simple and consistent ways, could have a far greater impact on reducing the amount of retail construction waste both generated and sent to landfill.
“Many retailers are already recognising the importance of taking a company wide stance on sustainability, but there is still some way to go in terms of the ‘behind the scenes' issues and early engagement throughout the supply chain.”
The event, which was also attended by representatives from the Waste & Resources Action Programme and Envirowise, paid particular attention to the implementation of construction site waste management plans (SWMP) (see letsrecycle.com story).
Concerns were expressed over just how effective SWMPs would be, and in particular the level of understanding among companies about what a 'good' plan should entail and how the Environment Agency would be enforcing them.
However, the notes for the event reveal that “Marks & Spencer commented that its waste strategy has been written and developed around SWMPs and that they are taking this forward-thinking approach to tracking, auditing and reviewing their construction waste very seriously.”
The discussion also took in the impact of architecture and design on waste minimisation, as well as the need for improved communication between retailers and the waste management companies they hold contracts with.
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