Wates Group has announced it will become a zero-waste and carbon company by 2025.
The property and construction company said it will be carbon-neutral across all operations, and will also eliminate the production of waste from on-site operations within five years.
To achieve its target, Wates will switch to an all-electric commercial vehicle fleet, eliminate single-use plastic from its operations and supply chain, invest in sustainable building techniques, and provide sustainability placements for graduates and apprentices.
The company will also plant 5,000 trees annually and ensure all projects deliver at least one nature enhancement project, which includes conservation work.
It follows on from its work on environmental causes in 2019. Wates offset 1,042 tonnes of CO2 over this period, planted 5,230 trees, and 74% of the electricity used by the company came from renewable sources.
Since 2016, Wates has increased its procurement of renewable energy by 70%.
Chief executive David Allen said: “We have established bold, ambitious, deliberately stretching targets for creating zero harm to the environment by 2025 because we believe that by committing to something extraordinary, we can achieve something extraordinary.
“Our industry has made and continues to make an unhelpful contribution to the global climate crisis. We have a responsibility to reduce and eventually to reverse the impact we are having on our planet and are determined that everyone in the Wates Group will do what is necessary to make a real and lasting difference.”
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