The concept of sustainable construction is generally in keeping with Imperial College London’s environmental requirements.  You will find more information about information on this page in the Construction Health, Safety and Environment Code of Practice 2022

Imperial College London is committed to reducing the impact of its construction activities on the local and global environment and its procurement policy is directed to purchasing goods and services from recognised sustainable sources.

All new-build and refurbishment projects will register with BREEAM, or other Imperial College London environmental/sustainability assessment criteria and strive to achieve an appropriate rating, ranging from good to excellent, as agreed with the client.

Refurbishment projects

During discussions around the client’s brief, the Project Team should give early consideration to the reuse of existing plant, equipment, fittings, fixtures and finishes within the spaces to be refurbished. These discussions should include the Building and Maintenance Managers and the Soft Services Manager.

New build projects

On new build projects the concept of sustainable construction must be considered as part of the client brief. This should include for example, opportunities to employ off-site manufacturing processes and “modular construction”; both are known to reduce the risks to operatives during the construction period and to reduce the extent of material waste.

All projects

On all projects, Designers should be exploring opportunities to use materials from sustainable sources and materials that include a percentage of recycled material.

Similarly, Designers should give serious consideration to designing out waste by specifying appropriate materials and dimensions that ensure the elimination, or reduction of waste through on-site cutting. Where cutting materials is unavoidable, the design should specify off site cutting where possible.

Designers should discuss and agree “take-back” arrangements with suppliers, for the return of undamaged goods and/or materials.

Waste Management

Decisions made during the development of the client’s brief regarding the reuse of existing plant, equipment, fittings, fixtures and fittings, should be transmitted clearly to the Design Team and included in the tender documents. This information will inform the contractor’s tender returns, which must include the contractor’s Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP). 

The SWMP must set targets for Waste Management and describe clearly how the targets are to be achieved through the design and construction period. The targets for reuse and recycling must be agreed with the client prior to works commencing on site.

During the construction period, the contractor must provide monthly Waste Management reports to the client’s Head of Health and Safety and Construction Safety Advisor.

When the work is completed, the contractor must provide a final Waste Management summary report and note how and why the targets were exceeded, or alternatively, why the targets were not met. This report will be used as part of a lessons learnt process, which hopefully will assist with achieving better performance on future projects.