Environment
Discover all the steps we're taking to minimise our environmental impact and promote sustainable construction.
A lot of the work we undertake is aimed at minimising the environmental impact of infrastructure projects, managing flood risks or protecting water company assets to help them operate efficiently for longer.
At the same time, we recognise that the engineering industry is changing rapidly to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to achieving net zero. We are playing our part by running our plant on HVO fuel, monitoring how our machinery is used, and adopting more sustainable methods of construction.
Click here for a copy of our Environmental Management Policy
Protecting ecology and biodiversity
As specialists in deep drainage, often working with existing rivers, canals and waterways, we have years of experience in fish rescue, protecting the habitats of endangered species such as great crested newts and avoiding damage to wildlife in the process of digging and then making an area good.
We work with specialist environmental contractors when necessary and comply with environmental permit conditions and the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, including targets to reduce unsatisfactory intermittent discharges (UIDs).
On a recent penstock replacement near Padiham, we planned the programme around protected otter activity, with no work in the two hours before dawn or after dusk. Click here to see the project.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
As part of our effort to create more sustainable building methods, we have changed several key working practices:
- We use pre-cast concrete to reduce wet materials on site
- Our plant runs on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), a renewable alternative to diesel
- Our machinery is fitted with auto-idle and auto-stop to cut unnecessary fuel use
- We record machine outputs and idling time, so we can measure and reduce our emissions
SGC is a Bronze member of the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
