Kier Eastern scores environmental hat trick

Kier Eastern, part of the Kier Group, has won a hat trick of environmental awards for its work in the East Anglia region.

The local building contractor is currently building a new £27m clinical services treatment centre at Ipswich Hospital, known as the Garrett Anderson Centre. As part of the works, in collaboration with supply chain member Knauf Drywall, Kier carried out a plasterboard waste reduction project which won a National Silver Award at the International Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice. Top botanist and TV personality Professor David Bellamy OBE presented Kier Eastern with the trophy during a ceremony held at the House of Commons.

The awards are presented annually in recognition of organisations carrying out projects that benefit the environment.

The Green Apple judges commented: “Kier Eastern’s project at Ipswich Hospital had the bold target of 10% plasterboard waste against an industry average of 25%. Many lessons were learnt and the target is becoming more achievable.”

The national organiser of The Green Apple Awards, Roger Wolens added: “We had around 750 nominations this year and presented about 80 awards, so Kier Eastern have done particularly well to triumph against some very strong competition.”

Kier Eastern’s ambitious target for waste reduction in plasterboard was recognised again at the Evening Telegraph Business Awards in Peterborough, where the company won the Environmental Awareness Award for the second year running.

The company has also been presented with a Campaign to Protect Rural England Award for its work at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Visitor Centre and Footbridge in Welney. The scheme was launched in 1980 to recognise significant small scale achievements in the field of conservation.

Kier Eastern contracts director, Paul Greenly said: “Kier Eastern continually works with its supply chain to make environmental improvements throughout all our projects. It is rewarding for our staff and suppliers to have their efforts recognised with these three fantastic awards.”

www.kier.co.uk/kiereastern