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Europe's largest urban shopping centre scoops waste reduction and recycling award

Westfield Stratford City, Europe's largest urban shopping centre, has won top honours at the 2013 Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) Awards for Environmental Excellence, which recognise and reward good practice in sustainable waste and resource management.

The RWM Sustainable Facilities Management Award, sponsored by RWM 2014, was presented to Westfield Stratford City and waste management contractor WasteSolve, for its proactive partnership approach to reducing the centre's environmental impact.

Covering 1.9 million square feet, the centre boasts over 310 stores with 10,000 staff working at the site. Working together, Westfield Stratford City and Wastesolve introduced a highly effective resource management programme which is delivering its 'zero waste to landfill' objective and has to date seen 2,014 tonnes of waste sent for re-use or second life reprocessing.

The first step in the programme was to assess the different waste streams produced across the facility, identifying nine core streams. Each stream was then reviewed to see how it be reduced. After this, the best possible destination for any remaining waste was identified to ensure re-use where possible.

All waste is segregated onsite and to ensure resource streams are collected and stored efficiently. Waste Solve devised the 'Green Academy' campaign to motivate all the staff, from shop floor to the centre head office. This engagement programme has been the key to the success, bringing staff across the whole site together with one shared aim.

The campaign encourages light hearted competition between tenants to be 'best in class' and includes events to reiterate recycling messages and reward best practice. Regular feedback is provided through newsletters, notice board information, and posters - and on a personal level, a 'Green Fitness Trainer' also visits individual retailers for training and workshops as required.

All food waste is sent for anaerobic digestion and a special campaign was devised for the 82 food outlets, called the `Green Academy Take out Service.' A personal site visit to every outlet was carried out and a reward programme highlighted success and showcased achievements to help increase participation.

"We are delighted to win this prestigious industry leading award in recognition for the true partnership approach taken between Westfield, Wastesolve and our tenants, to reduce our environmental impact and promote best practice," says Alyson Hodkinson, General Manager, Westfield Stratford City. "Through a combination of communication, education and competition, we have encouraged 100% of our food and beverage tenants to participate in the 'Green Academy' and supported all tenants to maximise their waste recycling volumes. We look forward to delivering continuous improvement next in 2014!"

Steve Lee, chief executive of CIWM, adds:

"Implementing operational and behavioural change on this scale is an enormous challenge but Westfield Stratford City and Wastesolve have shown how it can be achieved and sustained, and demonstrated the value of strong engagement and communications.

"The facilities management sector has enormous opportunities to realise the environmental and economic benefits of improving waste and resource management practices and Westfield Stratford City is a great example of what can be achieved."

The judges for the CIWM Excellence Awards 2013 included John Ingham, environment editor of the Daily Express, Gemma Clinton, vice chair of the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee, Marcus Gover, director of market development for WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and Graham Briscoe, a board member for the British Institute of Facilities Management.

CIWM is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 6000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues.

Image: The RWM Sustainable Facilities Management Award (from left): Dan Thurlow (i2i Events Group), Kate Cawley (WasteSolve), Ashley Ellis (Westfield), David Collins (Westfield) and Michaela Strachan

T: 01604 620426
E: [email protected]
W: www.ciwm.co.uk

14th November 2013