Major Durham development is keen to be green thanks to J&B Recycling

A major riverside regeneration project is on course to achieve its aim of zero waste to landfill thanks to an award-winning recycling company.

Freeman’s Reach in Durham City is currently undergoing a £27million transformation which will see it converted to offices, visitor facilities, cafes and a restaurant.

Construction firm Carillion Building was particularly keen to minimise its waste output from the project and asked North East-firm J & B Recycling to manage the process.

The partnership is not only ensuring that no construction waste ends up in landfill but that a significant amount is recycled to use again on site.

Michael Gallon, carillion’s package manager for the Riverside Renewal Project, said: “It’s massively important for any development company to manage its environmental impact. We are committed to meeting BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) waste targets and aim to engage with suppliers that work to the high standards set out by the organisation.

“At Carillion, we want to be the market leader within the construction industry around sustainability and J & B Recycling is helping us to achieve our aim of zero waste ending up in landfill sites.”

Phase one of the regeneration project is expected to be completed in early 2015 and will see offices built for the National Savings & Investments (NS&I), which will relocate from the opposite side of the Wear.

The project, which is being developed by a consortium of Carillion Developments, part of Carillion plc, local property business Arlington Real Estate and Richardsons Capital LLP, began with the demolition of the former ice rink building on the site.

Throughout the process, J & B Recycling has collected construction materials such as building debris, masonry, plaster-boards and timber, much of which has either been reused on site or re-processed at J & B’s materials recycling facility in Hartlepool.

At the outset of the project, Carillion developed a waste management plan which set targets for minimising waste from the site, all of which are being met.

J & B Recycling, which is the current Hartlepool Business of the Year and won the Corporate Responsibility and Environment category in this year’s North East Business Awards, has provided waste management services to several prominent construction projects including Middlesbrough College and Nifco UK’s manufacturing facility near Stockton.

Managing director Vikki Jackson Smith said: “We are delighted to be working with Carillion on this very important regeneration project for the region. They are a firm with such a clear commitment to managing their environmental impact.

“When we have worked with Carillion in the past, I have been impressed by their desire to develop truly sustainable buildings and that starts from day one with a commitment to manage waste efficiently. Our processes have ensured their targets are being met and exceeded.”

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