£1/4m for green waste guide

A guide promoting environmentally-sound disposal of waste, compiled by the University's Concrete Technology Unit (CTU), has been recognised with a prestigious award and a research grant of £1/4m.

The Guide to Demonstrating Best Practicable Environmental Options for Recycling Demolition Waste has been awarded Beacon Status by the Ready-Mixed Concrete Environment Fund under the category of Sustainability through Education.

Professor Ravinda Dhir, Director of the CTU said, "This prestigious award is great news for the CTU, coming as it does with research funding for myself and Dr Tom Dyer of £268,800 for a project that is central to achieving sustainability within the construction industry. The CTU's research has been recognised twice before with Department of Trade and Industry Secretary of State Awards under the University/Industry Partnership Programme in 1998 and 1999."

Catherine Russell, RMC Grants Team Coordinator, said, "The Fund is proud to assign Beacon Status to those forward-thinking projects which have exceeded the fund’s criteria and that have demonstrated excellence.

The Guide to Demonstrating BPEO for Recycling Demolition Waste project uses the CTU's strong links to key stakeholders in this field to develop strategies for recycling demolition wastes under a given set of circumstances. The production of a definitive handbook from this essential research, aimed at local authorities and contractors, has the potential to divert a high volume waste stream from landfill."

The money awarded will pay for the research, development and promotion (including training courses) of the handbook. £115,150 is from the RMCEF, with further funds of £153,650 from various sources - the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Tayside Contracts, The Concrete Centre, British Cement Association, Quarry Products Association, John Doyle Construction Ltd, Amec Group Ltd, Greater Manchester Waste Ltd, Aitkens Design Environment & Engineering.

Beacon status is awarded to projects that truly demonstrate the value of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, complement the strategic aims of the RMC Environment Fund and have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainability in the UK.