International environmental recognition for Barratt

Local housebuilder, Barratt, has added yet another award to its growing portfolio of accolades. The Halesowen-based developer has achieved the international environmental quality standard, ISO 14001, in recognition of its commitment to environmental awareness.

In achieving the standard, Barratt reviewed all of its procedures - both internally and on-site - to ensure that each process has the minimum impact on the environment.

Paper recycling, site waste segregation and disposal were among the many procedures reviewed. As a result, the company now carries out environmental audits across all sites on a rolling cycle with its new team of three trained environmental auditors. They visit each site twice a year to ensure that teams continue to operate in line with the requirements of the standard.

The results of any corrective action required are monitored and fed into a continuous improvement programme to ensure standards are maintained and the criteria for the award upheld.

"In achieving this standard, we are now operating much more efficiently," said Andrew Cohu, technical director at Barratt West Midlands. "Site waste has reduced significantly and so have the costs of its disposal. Early results suggest that we could make around a 20% saving on disposal costs from segregating our waste."

Efficiency of waste segregation and recycling has improved enormously on all sites. Barratt now has colour-coded skips which are labelled for specific wastes, and plasterboard is recycled using special bags that are taken away by the manufacturer.

"This has been a very worthwhile process, not just for the business, but also for staff," added Andrew Cohu. "The education process has meant that everyone is now much more environmentally aware in their daily tasks and - as well as being environment-friendly and making significant improvements in efficiency - these new measures are also helping our teams do their job easier and quicker.

"It's thanks to the commitment of our staff across the whole division that we have made this achievement."

Barratt's new accreditation prepares the company for future changes in environmental legislation. Barratt Group is working with certification specialists, Ocean, to accredit all divisions as part of its commitment to operating a more efficient and effective environmental policy, where more sustainable building materials and practices are implemented.

This latest triumph follows a string of recent successes for Barratt, including the "Housebuilder of the Year" title from What House? the "Housebuilding Innovator of the Year" award and a record haul of 53 Quality Awards in the National House Building Council's Pride In The Job competition for quality workmanship.

Barratt has a main office in Halesowen and is currently building on 31 developments in the region at prices from £92,100 to £510,000.

For more details of developments, visit Barratthomes.co.uk.