Surrey Research Park Project
Remade South East was engaged by Surrey County Council to explored how Surrey Technology Centre (STC), University of Surrey (UOS) and Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) could work together to optimise their environmental performance and achieve economies of scale in relation to waste generated on the Research Park.
Three objectives were set for the project:
- Understand the key material streams being produced
- Investigate potential joint working opportunities across the site in relation to the management of commercial waste streams
- Design an effective recycling solution, that could also be expanded to include neighbouring organisations
To understand the key material streams being produced Remade undertook a number of surveys. STC had little existing data; therefore a face to face survey was conducted, businesses unavailable were asked to respond via email. UOS had extensive data management systems and provided detailed waste and recycling tonnages generated 2007/08. RSCH had limited data on waste arisings and volumes and therefore a visit incorporating a waste audit was undertaken in June 2008.
In total 36 tonnes of waste materials were taken from the Research Park each week during the duration of the project, with 23.5 tonnes going to landfill and 12.5 tonnes being recycled; this gave the park an overall recycling rate of 35%. Paper and cardboard were identified as waste materials most commonly produced, with food packaging (bottles and sandwich wrappers) also scoring highly.
With each organisation being at a different stage in their waste management development, it was difficult to make direct links between the organisations and identify areas for joint working. However an environmental group was created in which partner organisations agreed to send regular emails sharing information about new and existing recycling and waste contractors, along with any other relevant information regarding waste management.
The focus for establishing a recycling system was centred on the STC managed buildings, as the UOS and RSCH had commenced the implementation of their strategies and the unmanaged STC buildings already had effective recycling collections. Remade South East put together a proposal for a recycling model for the collection of paper and cardboard from STC. Following a successful trial from September 2008 to March 2009 operated by Chambers, STC said they would re-tender the waste and recycling contract. Overall the project outcomes were successful with each of the three objectives being met, recommendations for each of the organisations were created outlining how to continue the work and increase the environmental performance of the Research Park.
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