The company became the first plaster and plasterboard manufacturer in the UK to achieve zero production waste to landfill in April last year following the implementation of a six year waste reduction programme. The programme reduced the amount of production waste going to landfill from an average of 5,000 tonnes per month in 2004 to zero in April 2010.
Allen Gorringe, head of environment for British Gypsum, said: “The achievement of zero production waste to landfill was a significant landmark for the plaster and plasterboard manufacturing industry as well as British Gypsum. It proved to the industry what was possible and one year on, we can show that we’re benefiting the environment and also delivering significant cost savings, illustrating the strong business case for being environmentally responsible.”
By the end of 2011, British Gypsum estimates that its zero production waste to landfill policy will deliver cost savings of nearly £1 million per year.
In a move reflecting its commitment to being the sector leader in sustainable construction and a world class manufacturer, British Gypsum is now working towards the elimination of virtually all waste across its UK operations which comprise of five manufacturing sites, five operational mines, four recycling facilities and numerous R&D, acoustic and fire testing facilities.
The company also continues to operate the UK’s first plasterboard recycling scheme. Run for the construction industry and for all makes of plasterboard, the scheme recycles more than 28,600 tonnes of plasterboard every year.
British Gypsum is also playing an active role in the development of “Ashdown Two”, an updated version of the Ashdown Agreement between the Government and the plasterboard industry. British Gypsum’s input was instrumental to the creation of “The Ashdown Agreement” which reduced the amount of plasterboard waste sent to landfill by 10,000 tonnes.
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