Resources

Berkeley recognises the role the construction industry has to play in reducing resource use and cutting waste and is committed to using resources responsibly.

15%

Reduction in construction waste intensity (tonnes / 100 sq m legally completed floor area) compared to 2021/22

97%

total waste reused or recycled

13%

reduction in water intensity (m3/ 100 sq m legally completed floor area) compared to 21/22

Each year, the construction industry consumes nearly 400 million tonnes of materials and produces approximately 100 million tonnes of waste. It is the UK’s largest consumer of natural resources and accounts for around a third of UK waste production.

Berkeley recognises the role the construction industry has to play in reducing resource use and cutting waste and is committed to using resources responsibly, including tackling waste production, reducing our water use and sourcing our materials responsibly.

Over the last year we have been working with the business to develop a new waste strategy to drive down the waste on our construction sites.

Waste Production

15% reduction in construction waste intensity (tonnes/ 100 sq m of legally completed floor area) compared to 2021/22.

Berkeley aims to preserve resources by embedding efficient resource use and waste minimisation practices in its day-to-day processes.

We have developed a Waste Action Plan, focussing on preventing the generation of waste, to achieve Zero Avoidable Waste in 2030, driving circular economy models, increasing reuse and recycling rates and advocating resource efficiency with our customers. We are investing in new waste data records software, with the aim of enhancing monitoring, reporting and defining more accurate targets.

We are also exploring ways to increase contractors’ accountability and ownership of waste, which is proving effective to reduce waste and increase segregation.

Water Usage

We recognise that water is a key resource that needs to be preserved, especially in light of climate change and growing population. In addition to our efforts to enhance the water efficiency of our homes, our construction teams are working with contractors to drive water efficiency at our sites.

We have produced resources and tools to help site teams reduce water consumption and we monitor water usage to better understand trends and drive continuous improvement.

Timber Certification

Berkeley requires all timber and wood based products to be certified to either the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) scheme. This is a key requirement of our Sustainable Specification and Procurement Policy.

We implement measures and processes to ensure we achieve our target, from reviewing specifications to checking materials brought to sites and visiting our suppliers’ manufacturing and storage facilities to check the timber they use. We also share lessons learned across the business from any non-compliances identified in our reviews.

Sustainability, Resources, Timber Certification

Supply Chain Engagement

Working with our supply chain is key to achieving our goals and to identify solutions to deliver resource efficiency.

At an early stage we engage our designers and consultants to design out waste from our developments, for example by retaining existing structures and reusing materials already available on site. We also challenge teams to achieve better resource efficiency via design and by selecting appropriate construction technologies.

During tendering and construction, we work with key suppliers and contractors to activate partnerships and to develop more efficient practices for material use and waste management and minimisation.

We are also a partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School and members of their Homes and Waste & Resource Use working groups, which are important forums to share experience and work with contractors, suppliers and other housebuilders to drive performance improvements across the value chain.