Systems for sustainable communities

As globalisation continues and the earth’s natural processes transform local problems into international issues, few societies are being left untouched by major environmental change.

All environmental problems have causes, numerous effects and, most importantly, solutions.

Charcon is continually working for the environment to develop those solutions across its operations. Significant improvements have been made to enhance our environmental performance, to develop community relations and to increase its commitment to sustainable development.

“To develop in a sustainable way, we must seek to balance our positive and negative impacts on the environment, society and the economy. Balancing is key, if we are to move forward in our business without causing significant damage. Moving forward economically needs to be done with the least social and environmental damage.”

Aggregate Industries Sustainability Report 2004.

Sustainable development is essential to our communities. The built environment is needed to provide both opportunities for growth and the infrastructure we demand to meet our needs. However, this development must be planned and delivered in such a way that negative impacts on the environment are minimised while maximising the benefits to society and our communities.

Charcon products support sustainable communities, both environmentally and socially, in a number of ways:

Environmental contribution examples

  • Reduced use of non-renewable resources.
  • Use of recycled waste as raw materials.
  • Minimisation of distances raw materials and products are transported.
  • Operating with due regard to protecting the environment.

Social contribution examples

  • Reduced weight of building materials products to protect the health of construction workers an the public.
  • Reduced noise emissions from road surfaces.
  • Creation of opportunities for manufacturing employment across the UK.

Agenda for the 21st Century

Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organisations of the United Nations, governments and major groups in every area in which human activities create an impact on the environment.

Agenda 21 represents a commitment to sustainable development and nations that have pledged to take part are monitored by the International Commission on Sustainable Development. They are encouraged to promote its principles at Government NGO. Industry and general public levels.

How are Local Authorities affected?

At the Rio Summit, the United Nations agreed that the best starting point is at the local level. In fact, two thirds of the 2500 action items of Agenda 21 relate to local councils.

Each Local Authority must draw up its own Local Agenda 21 (LA21) strategy following discussions with its citizens about what they think is important for the area. The principle of sustainable development must come from a central part of this strategy.

Charcon’s contribution

As the hard landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, Charcon is an environmentally responsible producer of high-quality construction materials to benefit the built environment.

Continuing Aggregate Industries commitment to the environment, Charcon has developed hard landscaping paving and kerb products to contribute to sustainable construction.

Charcon has received industry recognition for the work it is doing in the area of

environmental performance and sustainability:

  • In 2003, Charcon won the Best Precast Concrete Federation Environmental Award, competing against 21 other entries on a theme of Waste Minimisation. The award was for a team approach from the Charcon factories, including Rockbeare, where the Charcon Eco Range is manufactured.
  • In addition, the Charcon Eco Range was short-listed for the 2003 Contract Journal Construction Product Manufacturer Award.
  • Charcon was also highly commended in the Modern Materials and Components Awards, aimed at showcasing new product innovation.

Aggregate Industries environmental performance

Aggregate industries is fully accountable for all the environmental and social impacts of its activities.

The company continually strives to improve the performance of its products and operations to minimise their effect on the environment:

  • All wholly owned Aggregate Industries UK sites are certified to ISO 14001 for environmental management systems.
  • Aggregate Industries is sponsor of the Civic Trust Sustainability Award.
  • Aggregate Industries reports annually on the sustainability of its products and processes.
  • Aggregate Industries has a Biodiversity Action Plan.
  • Aggregate Industries has invested in a common electronic information system called ‘ENVOY’, a web-based intranet, that allows corporate documentation to be broadcast to all site representatives and to analyse and review information regarding their site’s performance. This has been successfully used in the UK to manage environmental, health and safety and quality issues.