Facts & Figures
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).
Where are Tingdene now?
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.
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.
Where are Tingdene going?
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.