Bluewater turns waste into education
Bluewater has been shortlisted for a green gong for turning
6,000 tonnes of waste into a study centre.
The shopping and leisure centre hopes to win the accolade in the
City of London Corporation’s Sustainable City Awards. The awards
recognise achievement in sustainable business practice.
Bluewater made its eco-friendly education centre from timber
found on-site, including old pallets from stores and stalls, and
timber from the Christmas market. It set up a 'milk round' to
collect pallets, cages and re-usable waste.
The centre has a classroom, composting toilet, disabled access
platforms and ramps, pond dipping jetty and picnic area to enable
schools to use the area as a study centre.
Bluewater is the same size as Bath City Centre and generates
some 6,000 tonnes of waste a year. As part of its policy of cutting
waste and landfill, it embarked on the study centre project.
Bluewater has also developed an on-site wormery to create
compost which uses food waste and waste from the on-site juice
bars.
The Bluewater security teams patrol on bikes and use hybrid cars
for fast response. An electric truck made from recycled plastic is
also used for on-site works.
Simon Mills, head of sustainability at the City of London
Corporation, said: "Copenhagen was unable to set binding emissions
reduction targets.
"However in spite of this, UK businesses are pulling out all the
stops to ensure they maintain a sustainable business model and keep
emissions low - and we can see this in the high calibre of
entrants. Businesses are already putting into practice the
Government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 10 per cent
by the end of 2010."
Bluewater is among 38 organisations shortlisted for an award.
The results will be announced on February 18 at a ceremony in the
Mansion House, London.
Wednesday, February 03 2010