Redrow gets its (green) house in order

Staff at award-winning housebuilder and commercial property developer Redrow are going green in a bid to reduce their carbon footprint. Each of Redrow’s regional companies is forming a ‘Green Team’ which will meet on a regular basis to discuss ways in which the company can become more environmentally friendly in the workplace.

Nicola Owen, sustainability manager for Redrow, is heading up the first Green Team, which had its inaugural meeting at Redrow’s national headquarters at St David’s Park, Ewloe, in Flintshire.

She said: “It is critical for large companies like Redrow to lead the way on this especially in our industry, where we are pushing to produce carbon zero homes. It is crucial that we make sure we are continuing to look at ways to improve our own performance in our operations.”

The team is hoping to run three-month campaigns on different subjects, starting with energy. Future topics will include water and transport.

Nicola said: “This will allow a clear focus on improving one subject area, whilst changing the focus every three months or so will help maintain interest and momentum.”

The Green Teams are just part of Redrow’s bid to be more environmentally friendly.

Nicola said: “We are doing a lot of work at the moment to reduce our environmental impacts on site, tackling issues such as waste management, recycling and resource efficiency.”

Redrow is also working towards putting all its bulk printing, including brochures and leaflets, through Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited Philip Myers Press in Warrington, Cheshire, to ensure that it is becoming more responsible for its print requirements.

Kim Naylor, managing director of Philip Myers Press, said: “We have our own corporate responsibility to the environment to make sure we are doing the best we can as a business but our customers are driving this as well. Being FSC accredited means that everything is produced in a very strict environment in relation to forest management and timber products. Redrow are doing really well and it’s good that they are pushing this through.”

As well as its St David’s Park headquarters, Redrow has 10 regional housing companies across England, Scotland and Wales, plus a specialist regeneration business in the south east of England. The group directly employs around 1,300 people UK-wide.

For general information about Redrow and its developments log on to Redrow.co.uk.