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Hanson leads the way in support of new Sustainability Charter
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Hanson Building Products has taken a leading role in encouraging improved sustainability within the building industry. In keeping with its own ongoing sustainability programme, the company, which is one of the world's largest suppliers of heavy building materials, has signed up to the new Precast Sector Sustainability Charter.
The Sustainability Charter was set up recently by the British Precast Concrete Federation, the trade body for the UK precast concrete products industry. At the Charter’s launch event on 29th November, Hanson joined seven other leading suppliers in signing up as founding members.
The purpose of the new Charter is to challenge the industry at large, and member companies in particular, to improve their sustainability performance and profile. Acknowledging the need to move beyond legislation, the Charter encourages members to adopt a series of voluntary practices to make both products and systems more sustainable.
The Charter, which is the latest step in the Federation’s ‘More from Less’ sector sustainability strategy, consists of 15 challenges and commitments. By signing up to the Charter, members agree to work towards the adoption of a number of principles. These include: the development of products designed to improve the quality and sustainability of the built environment; the effective management of all waste streams and the minimisation of waste disposed to landfill; the minimisation of pollution and emissions associated with production and transportation; and the more efficient use of energy and water, and the subsequent reduction of the industry’s carbon footprint.
In addition, Charter members agree to liaise with local communities to promote mutual understanding and respect; to measure, report and improve performance on sustainability issues; to protect asnd enhance the natural environment affected by precast production; to develop a skilled, competent workforce; and to operate responsibly to protect employees, contractors and visitors.
Since the early 1990s, Hanson Building Products has had in place its own detailed environmental policy which reflects the company’s principles of sustainable development. Building products are part of everyday life, HBP maintains, and are therefore crucial to achieving a sustainable environment and a sustainable society.
