Waste Not Want Not – Meeting landfill diversion targets

The construction and demolition sector is the largest contributor of waste in the UK, responsible for generating 120 million tonnes of waste every year. This equates to around one third of all waste in the UK. [1] 

These statistics put increasing pressure on contractors to source more sustainable building practices and reduce the amount of waste they produce on site. This responsibility is then passed onto the contractor’s waste management facility who are expected to achieve an extremely high level of landfill diversion from the construction waste.

While landfill has historically played an important role in waste management, it is now regarded as a less efficient and ecologically aware solution. Large contractors are opting to use forward-thinking waste management companies that have a wealth of knowledge in waste legislation to guide them towards the best recycling processes.

That is why GBN Services are used by numerous large contractors, such as, BOUYGUES-UK, Higgins Construction and Galliford Try, as all of their centres across London and the South East achieve tremendously high recycling levels, which combined with their Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) solution means GBN can deliver 98% diversion from landfill for their customers.

At two of GBN’s facilities they have recently installed state-of-the-art new equipment and upgraded existing facilities to ensure waste materials are diverted from landfill. For example, they have recently invested in a wood chipper that allows waste wood to be converted into wood chips, which are then used in fibre board production.

GBN have also invested in a new Dicom baler, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK. The baler wraps materials that cannot be further sorted. These materials are used to produce a refuse derived fuel (RDF) that can be used to generate power without the need to burn precious fossil fuels. Their Basildon site now processing 182,000 tonnes of waste each year, ensuring GBN can achieve maximum landfill diversion from their waste products.

“Our continual investment into the latest equipment is vital for GBN’s development and means we can continue to divert waste from landfill for our customers. It also means we are extremely close to reaching our goal of 100% landfill diversion." Garry Hobson, Managing Director - GBN Services.

As of April last year, the European Commission set the target to reduce landfill waste to 10% of all waste generated by 2030. [2] This ensures that diversion of material from landfill remains a high priority and therefore it is vital to continue investment in the latest recycling technology.

[1] http://www.ukgbc.org/resources/key-topics/circular-economy/waste
[2] http://www.grantthornton.co.uk/globalassets/1.-member-firms/united- kingdom/pdf/publication/2016/waste-annual-review-final-web.pdf