Zero Waste Week

_{Attributed to Tara Crossan, Associate Director at Powerday}

Powerday is committed to addressing the UK’s waste management challenges with innovative and sustainable solutions designed specifically for the construction industry.

Recycling is at the heart of what we do, and as an industry leader, we are dedicated to maximising recycling rates and diverting waste from landfills through our high-end materials recycling facilities across London. This Zero Waste Week, which takes place from 2 – 6 September, marks a great opportunity for businesses like us to reaffirm our commitment to minimising waste and contributing to a more sustainable future for the UK.

According to Qflow’s 2023 Waste Report, the construction industry generates 62% of the UK’s waste and 32% of all waste is sent to landfill[1]. There is no hiding that there are challenges, however there are certain steps businesses can take to support the circular economy and closely manage how construction waste is disposed of or repurposed.

At Powerday, we are proud to be at the forefront of waste management and recycling in the UK, dedicated to sustainability and making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Our work with the residents of Hillingdon, for example, has raised an incredible £65,000 for Harlington Hospice, providing invaluable care to those living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. This achievement has been made possible through the generous donations of thousands of items to the Waste Weekend Charity Shop in West Drayton, which we operate on behalf of the council. Since opening in January 2020, the shop has become a cherished community hub where residents can donate household items for resale, diverting them from landfill and supporting a vital local cause.

In addition to our community initiatives, we are actively working to reduce carbon emissions and support the circular economy through our closed-loop recycling programmes. Since the beginning of 2024, our partnership with Protec has led to the remanufacturing of 51,388 ProplexRE sheets, saving 130 tonnes of CO2 and diverting 196m³ of waste from landfill. Similarly, our glass recycling initiatives with Saint-Gobain and McLaren have resulted in the remanufacture of 40.3 tonnes of glass, saving 48.4 tonnes of raw materials and preventing 28.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions. These closed-loop initiatives preserve natural resources by significantly reducing the need for virgin materials, exemplifying our commitment to sustainable practices.

Powerday is also playing a crucial role in reducing waste and carbon emissions by processing construction and demolition waste efficiently and investing in advanced technologies to convert residual waste into renewable energy. Our recent deployment of two Volvo FE Electric Skip Loaders, powered by renewable energy from our Willesden plant, demonstrates our dedication to carbon reduction and net-zero goals. This project has already saved approximately 35 tonnes of CO2 compared to a typical diesel skip lorry, with estimated savings of 60 tonnes by the end of the year, contributing to cleaner air in London.

Environmentally, our latest manifesto lays out our ambitious targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 4% by the end of this year, aligning with our net-zero commitment for 2040. Additionally, we pledge to establish a Scope 3 target by the same deadline while continuing to understand and mitigate climate-related risks and opportunities.

As London’s leading family-run waste management and recycling business, we remain committed to driving sustainability forward in the UK. Powerday is proud to be part of this movement, not just during Zero Waste Week, but year-round, continuously looking at ways to minimise waste, reduce carbon emissions, and support the communities we serve in building a more sustainable future for all.