Costain launches war on waste

Costain has launched a new sustainability campaign to help reduce waste on its sites. Based around a DVD called Save It, the campaign will focus on improved materials and resources management, recycling and re-use of materials.

Launching the initiative last week, Costain chief executive Andrew Wyllie said the DVD is an essential part of its sustainability drive, and that its suppliers will be expected to sign up to the scheme too. The campaign is being supported by the Considerate Constructors Scheme. 

Wyllie explained: “By being less wasteful, not only will sites and companies deliver cost savings, they will also promote a cleaner industry with a better image.

“Society is fundamentally changing. I went to university in Glasgow and if you’d asked me 10 years ago whether there would be a smoking ban, I would have laughed. But the world is changing, and recycling has become a huge issue.”

According to Costain, construction is responsible for generating 90 million tonnes of waste each year; 13 million tonnes of that waste is material that is delivered to site, but never used.

“Costain must take a leading role in this area, and everyone in the company can play a part. We must promote sustainability and declare a war on waste. Our customers and shareholders expect us to take action and we cannot disappoint them.”

Besides the DVD, Costain has set up a special team to push the issue forward, and it is also running roadshows across its sites and offices to discuss the issue and why it makes good business sense.