Environment

The Company fully recognises its responsibility to manage the impact of our activities on the environment and is committed to good practice.

Houlton is proud to have achieved ISO 14001 for all the companies operations in recognition of our dedication to achieving excellent standards of environmental management. Environmental project and business audits are undertaken with subsequent objectives and targets for action. All staff undergo environmental awareness training and operate to environmental procedures documentation.

The Company recognised the importance of waste management before the introduction of site waste management plans, including minimising waste and operating a waste segregation process at our head office site to divert waste away from landfill. Similar procedures are operated on all suitable sites and waste is handled by approved contractors.

Many sites operate Site Waste Management Plans created using the Building Research Establishment (BRE) SMARTwaste Construction tool, of which we are a Bronze Member.  This web based tool helps the business prepare, implement and review site waste management plans (SWMPs) in full compliance with SWMP Regulations. It enables reporting at a company and project level, including measurement of waste arisings and their management routes and benchmarks for forecasting waste arisings. It’s also aligned with the requirements of BREEAM and The Code for Sustainable Homes enabling our projects to have the very best chance of achieving maximum credits.

Where possible we use our influence to encourage clients and designers to improve whole life environmental performance of construction projects and to establish energy-efficient and sustainable solutions. We have for some time used recycled materials where appropriate and we select timber from certified sustainably managed sources. We make use of ground source heat pumps, wind turbines, solar panels, passive ventilation, sustainable drainage and other environmental improvements, wherever possible.

Houlton's environmental policy extends beyond our construction sites to include our Hyperion Street office. Environmental measures introduced over recent years have included upgrading insulation, boilers, comfort cooling and energy efficient computer monitors and low energy LED light fittings. We continually monitor our site and office energy use of electricity, water and site fuel.
The company is a member of the Humber Environmental Network.

It is committed to comply with all relevant Environmental Legislation at local, regional and national level as a minimum performance and to continually improve environmental performance through appropriate initiatives, controls, provision of resources and training of our employees.

An Environmental Management System has been established that complies with ISO 14001: 2004. The effectiveness of this system is monitored and maintained by regular audits and management reviews.