Resource Use
There are two main types of natural resources:
- Finite resources are those that once gone are gone forever. For example, fossil fuels.
- Renewable resources are those which, with good management can be replaced and last indefinitely. For example, timber.
As stated in the introduction to this section we are using natural resources at an unsustainable rate. Therefore, we must seek ways of reducing our usage and more effectively using the resources that are available.
'This does not mean denying ourselves the use of non-renewable resources like oil and gas, but we do need to make sure that we use them efficiently and that alternatives are developed to replace them in due course. Renewable resources, such as water, should be used in ways that do not endanger the resource or cause serious damage or pollution'
Our use of natural resources is extensive, from the energy we use to manage buildings to the raw materials we use to build structures. Our overall aim is to more effectively understand our supply chain impacts and more effectively and efficiently use natural resources.
The following are some examples of our use of natural resources.
Water
Water is an essential natural resource, which is vital for both human health and the environment. Although it is a renewable resource we have to safeguard our existing water resources.
Nationally, the demand for water is increasing and current projections show that this trend is likely to continue over the next 25 years. Reducing water wastage and promoting greater water efficiency will help safeguard supplies.
During 2001/2 England and Wales lost 3,425 megalitres of water per day through leaking pipework. Through our Facilities Management activities we aim to help our clients identify and stop such wastage.
For example:
Colchester General Hospital inherited some old buildings due to the closure of some mental health units. Unfortunately this resulted in the unused buildings falling into disrepair and became an easy target for vandals.
It was noted that within a 6-month period the monthly costs for water consumption had grown from approximately £150 to £2500. To rectify this problem the trust engaged their Facilities Management contractors, Carillion Services.
Carillion Services identified the many problems, which were causing the increase in water consumption, these included;
- theft of copper pipework
- 28mm pipes running at full bore
- a large service duct linking several remote buildings was flooded to a depth of 1.5 metres and was about 1 hundred metres long by 2 metres, representing a large quantity of water
Carillion Services were then able to reduce the monthly costs from £2,500 to £120 per month. This ultimately resulted in a more efficient system, which used water, a valuable natural resource, in a more prudent way.
Through our everyday activities as Facilities Managers we seek to identify ways of increasing the water efficiency of our clients buildings.
Our Head Office Water Consumption
We have successfully reduced our overall head office water consumption by 13% in 2002. The only office within the complex to increase was Peal House. This was due to an increase in the number of building occupants. Water saving actions have now been installed and we hope to see a reduction in consumption during 2003.
Office
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Cubic Metres of Water in 2001
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Cubic Metres of Water in 2002
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Percentage Difference
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Birch Street
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3901
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3043
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22% reduction
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Derwent House
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1443
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1204
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17% reduction
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Peal House
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2094
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2206
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5% increase
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Total Consumption
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7438
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6453
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13% reduction
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Project Water Consumption
We are still struggling to effectively measure water consumption on projects. This is due to many factors, for example:
- Clients often control and pay for water on projects
- Effective sub metering is often impractical
- Different activities utilise different amounts of water and occur at different periods in the construction programme.
We shall continue to work with the industry to determine measurable and meaningful KPIs for measurement of construction water consumption.
Our projects have continued to reduce the elements of water usage that we can control. For example, the project team working on the Dell project in Bracknell has;
- Installed Hippos into the cisterns. Each hippo will save 1litre per flush which using an average of 5 flushes per day should save 7,750 litres over the duration of the contract.
- Used a second hand wheelwash from our Great Western Hospital contract, which includes a settlement tank to enable reuse of water.
Timber
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce positive resources, namely, wood and oxygen. Therefore, they are a key natural resource, which helps to ensure that our atmosphere is clean and that we have raw materials to use in our construction processes.
We are addressing the issues of timber from well managed sources associated primarily through membership of the WWF-UK Forest & Trade Network (WWF-UK FTN), of which we have been a member since 1997.
Membership of the WWF-UK FTN requires us to purchase substantial and increasing volumes of timber and timber related products from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified sources.
During 2002 we issued a questionnaire to potential suppliers of FSC timber to identify the current price levels of FSC timber, the suppliers position regarding sustainability, the types of FSC products stocked and whether they have or are working towards a Chain of Custody. Unfortunately the level of response to date has been poor, although we have had good feedback from a fellow WWF-UK FTN company.
In 2003 we will focus on increasing our levels of FSC procured timber. We will achieve this through working with our preferred suppliers, and through them, their subcontractors, to ensure that eventually all timber procured by us is FSC with a Chain of Custody where possible. The categories of spend that we will be focusing on in the coming year are Concrete Frame, Timber Fencing and Joinery Subcontractors.
Aggregates
Aggregates are often required for numerous elements of a development from road pavement to concrete structures and drainage.
The impacts associated with the procurement of aggregates, particularly virgin aggregates, are numerous. The Government has identified a range of generic impacts associated with the quarrying of virgin aggregates that vary depending on the specific location* These are identified as:
- Noise and dust
- Blasting vibration
- Derogation of surface water flows and pollution of groundwater
- Visual intrusion
- Loss of heritage
- Loss or damage to wildlife habitat or ecosystem function; and
- Loss of amenity
* Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (1999) ‘The Environmental Costs and Benefits of the Supply of Aggregates’, (Crown), Annex 5.
There are environmental drivers (above) and financial incentives via the Aggregates Levy to encourage the reduction in the use of virgin aggregates, increase the use of secondary aggregates and seek alternatives where practicable in our construction projects.
The requirement to consider these issues is being addressed at three key stages, through the specifications included as part of our Sustainable Design process, the requirement to consider sustainability issues in our Supply Chain Management and by our emphasis on the reuse and recycling of construction waste of part of our approach to Waste Management.
An example of where we have combined sustainability and the requirement for aggregates is the M6 Toll Road project. The project required the use of aggregates for the production of road pavement and structures, the road sub base and drainage stone.
To reduce the need for aggregates, pulverised fly ash (PFA), a by-product from power stations, was specified as a replacement material. In total approximately 22,000 tonnes of PFA was used, with the structural concrete containing 30% PFA and the pavement concrete containing 25% PFA. As well as reusing a power station waste product, PFA has advantages over aggregates in terms of its better thermal properties and improved durability. Reducing the need for maintenance over the long term.
Other forms of waste were also identified as having the potential to be reused as part of the project. Exemptions for the reuse of site won materials enabled us to use approximately one million tonne of road planings, inert fill material (sand, clay) and recycled materials such as crushed concrete for use in permanent works, further reducing the need for aggregates.
Please refer to our Atmospheric Emission section for information on our use of energy. If you would like information on our use of a natural resource, which is not featured within this section, please complete a feedback form requesting the information you require.
Summary
We shall continue to better understand our need to use natural resources and to identify ways of improving the efficiency of our usage and disposal of natural resources. This will include reviewing our supply chain, design and waste management processed to ensure that we use appropriate materials and maximise the efficiency of the resources that we use.
Please refer to the following case records for further examples of our effective use of natural resources:
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