The new hospital at The Royal London at night

The construction of the new hospitals is the responsibility of Skanska, a company committed to all aspects of environmental sustainability.  Both new hospitals are being constructed in line with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) sustainability rating of excellence.

Sustainable construction methods have been used including:

• Buildings were demolished in small sections so that bricks and other materials could be salvaged for re-use – 97% of the demolition material removed from the site was recycled.
• Every supply chain partner was asked to submit a plan showing how they would reduce packaging and waste before starting work.
• Robust plastic crates are used that can be returned to suppliers to be refilled, thus preventing packaging arriving on site, reducing waste, and saving time and money.
• All timber used is sourced sustainably.  Every item arriving on site is checked for a valid Timber Chain of Custody number.
• At least 10 per cent of the building is recycled material.
• Waste is separated onsite into eight different streams.  In 2008, this resulted in a saving of £27,000 in waste disposal costs.
• An ambitious target of producing just 15% plasterboard waste was set. The team is currently producing 8% waste by cutting to size, minimising off-cuts and the careful handling and storage of materials.
• All of the external hoarding for the Barts construction site is made from panels derived from waste, with any off-cuts returned to the manufacturer to re-make further boards.