Our Approach to Sustainability

 Sustainability is an important part of our company ethos and touches all facets of the business. From the outset of a project, even at tender design, we consider how we will approach the logistics and methodologies to reduce any potential negative impacts and promote positive impacts. This can include the nature and type of plant and equipment we may use through to specific site logistics and processes to reduce the number of vehicle movements for deliveries. 

We apply the waste and carbon hierarchies as part of our both our company and project considerations. 

 The size and nature of our company means that across the board we are able to have systems and processes in place for us to know the plant, equipment and consumables we have available so we are able to re-use these items rather than purchase brand new items. This can range from 5 ton excavators through to chairs, microwaves and fridges that are used as part of the welfare set up. Although there are service and testing regimes in place, the culture fostered within our company ensures that all employees look after plant, tools and equipment so we are able to maximise the re-use of these items.

 We acknowledge that demolition works by its nature will mean that there will be a waste removal element involved. However, as part of our Environmental Objectives, Salter Demolition sets itself a target of recycling 97% of waste removed from site. Since our inception in 2016 we have always achieved or exceeded this target. We work with waste contractors whose sustainability objectives are aligned with our own and recycle a high percentage of waste which is then re-used in other products.

Throughout the company, all our employees actively research and share findings on new tools, equipment and techniques that would further our sustainability endeavours. This can be from a more energy efficient piece of equipment to looking at solar powered monitoring equipment as well as generators. We are currently undertaking trials with our plant to switch to HVO fuel which is created from hydrotreating previous vegetable oils and animal fats with a view to using zero diesel on site.

We always seek to engage with the community within the vicinity of where our offices are and  projects will take place before the works even start. We feel it is important for people in the surrounding areas to the project site are aware of the works that will be taking place, how it might affect them and what we will be doing to mitigate any impacts. We will always work in conjunction with our client to provide the most appropriate approach. The word ‘demolition’ can often come with some negative connotations and we hope through early engagement and information that we could put people’s minds at rest about exactly what the works will involve. In addition, we always  look to become a part of the local community for the duration of our works from employing local labour, where possible to supporting local shops and cafes and procuring goods locally, where possible. We aim to engage with the community and leave a positive impact of our works, the client and the wider construction industry. 

We use our ISO14001 accreditation to as well as BREEAM principles to underpin all of our environmental and sustainability processes and procedures at site level as well as head office level. 

Our company environmental and sustainability targets form part of our day to day activities and are key considerations within our method statements for undertaking works. 

We have an extensive in house knowledge base where individuals have qualifications including IEMA Practitioner, BREEAM Associate and have recently recruited a graduate with a degree in Geography, specialising in Sustainability.