Tingdene Homes Environmental Review
At Tingdene we understand the impact our processes can and do have on the
environment. Because of this we are continuously searching for ways to limit
this impact through efficient use of resources, recycling initiatives and energy
management. If you would like to know more about our environmental
performance please read through our Environmental Leaflet, or contact us and
our Environmental Manager would be happy to speak to you.
The construction industry sends around 36 million tonnes of waste to landfill each year (Construction News).
Current landfill space is expected to run out by 2016 (LGA, 2007)
Gas from landfill contains methane, which is said to be 20 times worse for global warming than
Carbon Dioxide (Ian Sample, The Guardian, 2005).
Manufacturing plant
- During the manufacture of our homes we aim to make best use of all materials, as is reasonably possible.
This reduces the amount of resources we require, as well as the waste we send to landfill, limiting our impact on the environment.
- We also donate materials we cannot use to colleges undertaking construction courses.
- Any waste materials we cannot reduce or reuse we endeavour to recycle. The materials that we currently
recycle include; cardboard, polythene, hard plastics (including window frame offcuts), cable and metal.
- In the last 12 months through recycling alone we have diverted over 700 tonnes of waste from landfill.
- In addition we have condensed the full 40 hour working week within our production facilities into four days
instead of five. This will result in less traffic to our site by around 20%, reducing congestion in the local area and subsequently vehicle emissions.
Training and Involvement
- The manufacturing and office staff have all been through generic environmental training sessions
and all new starters go through an environmental induction as standard.
- Environmental officers have been appointed amongst the workforce to increase staff involvement and to
encourage greater communication between the workforce and management.
The Homes
- As standard all of our homes are fully double glazed, fitted with efficient condensing
boilers, A rated appliances and toilets with dual flush action.
- Our homes also have the option of being fitted with solar panels or wind turbines to heat
the water supply of the home (subject to park/planning approval).
- We also offer external wood effect cladding made from recycled materials. This is a
sustainable material that requires no upkeep.
Offices
- In the offices plastic bottles and all non-confidential paper materials are recycled by our
waste contractor.
- Confidential documents are also shredded and recycled.
- Staff are encouraged to reduce paper use by double sided photocopying/printing and by
seriously considering what needs printing in the first place.
- Emails are sent with footnotes encouraging the recipient not to print the email.
- 100% recycled paper is purchased wherever is practicably possible. When recycled
paper quality isn’t enough Tingdene endeavour to purchase FSC accredited paper.
- All fluorescent lighting and electrical equipment is disposed of responsibly with licensed
companies.
At Tingdene we understand that we need to continuously strive for even greater environmental
improvements. As such we aim to achieve the following:
- The inclusion of greater environmental options for our customers, so they can decide on how
environmentally friendly they want their home to be.
- FSC accreditation, so that we can pass on to our customers the assurance that the timber
used in the manufacture of their home has been sourced entirely from sustainable forests.
- Accreditation to the Environmental Management System ISO 14001, so that we can show our
commitment to continual environmental improvements.
- The installation of Biomass technology so that we can produce our own heat and electricity
from our wood waste.
- A paperless environment, where minimal documents are printed or photocopied.
Tingdene Homes Environmental Policy
Policy number: 1.1
Tingdene have been in business successfully for 39 years and prides itself on being an innovative
leader within the industry and for its commitment to continuous environmental improvements.
Tingdene’s Environmental Policy and Practices have been developed over several years and have
derived from an awareness that as a business their operations can impact on the local, regional
and global environment.
This policy has therefore been written with the aim of meeting and where
possible exceeding the company objectives and targets.
this policy is given full support by tingdene’s board of directors but it is the responsibility of all
employees to ensure that the policy standards are met.
It is Tingdene’s policy to endeavour to:
- Comply with all environmental legislation and to ensure that tingdene’s processes do not
result in environmental incidents.
- Encourage a culture of environmental awareness amongst its staff.
- Reduce the waste sent to landfill through increased resource efficiency, reuse of materials
and increased recycling efforts.
- Reduce its energy use, through the incorporation of best practice and the installation of
efficient equipment where ever is practicably possible.
- Gather information from its suppliers in order to assess the environmental performance of
the products used in the manufacture of its homes.
- Improve their environmental performance through the setting and reviewing of
environmental objectives and targets.
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