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We encourage our employees to operate sustainable business practices that minimise the impact of our activities on the environment and the local communities where we work

Beard recognises that its activities have an impact on the environment and is committed to improving its environmental performance to minimise the harmful effects through considerate policies and effective management.

Beard has an Environmental Policy in place and is accredited to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management standard. Please click here to view our Environmental Policy Statement

We have teamed up with Canadian timber frame specialist DAC International Inc to offer care home customers the opportunity to create eco-friendly and energy efficient buildings that comply with stringent ‘Part L’ building regulations. Read more about this initiative here:

Beard has also formed a partnership with Oxford Wood Re-cycling and is taking part taking part in one of the UK’s largest waste management projects, which is being driven by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and funded by DEFRA. Read more about the programme by clicking here:

We:

  • comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1974
  • re-use and recycle materials wherever appropriate, from excavation waste to packaging, paper and consumable products. (Read how Beard built The Kindersley Centre at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, using chalk from the excavations to create the building’s energy-saving rammed earth wall.)
  • support the use of materials and timber from sustainable sourcesminimise waste through efficient procurement 
  • minimise emissions by regularly maintaining our plant and machinery and making sure that our vehicles use the most fuel-efficient routes.
  • Use low emission Co2 diesel in all company vehicles
  • dispose of hazardous materials and waste safely

 

  

 

Beard built The Kindersley Centre, which won the Sustainability Award in the 2005 Civic Trust Awards. Our case study describes the building’s eco-friendly features, and how we used chalk from the excavations to built its energy-saving rammed earth wall. The Kindersley Centre, Sheepdrove Organic Farm

 
 

Our commitment to economic sustainability

Beard is committed providing value for money. Our value engineering process looks closely at every aspect of the construction project to identify savings based on cost-effective alternatives to the products originally specified. It also contributes to the analysis of whole of life costs.

We encourage our customers to involve Beard as soon as possible so that we can look closely at the ‘buildability’ of a project and identify and overcome any potential difficulties at the earliest opportunity.

We minimise waste by procuring materials efficiently and using local labour wherever possible.  

Our commitment to social sustainability

Beard is a member of the Considerate Contractor Scheme. We show respect and consideration for the local community by keeping noise, dust and inconvenience to a minimum. Our sites also ensure the safety and welfare of passers-by and people using adjacent buildings.

We encourage our staff to build relationships with local communities through involvement in charitable events.

In 2007 we will be ‘Backing the Bid’ for the Science Museum in Swindon. Read more about this project here.

Our sponsorships so far include:

  • Oratory School, Oxfordshire, cricket team
  • Oxford University Real Tennis
  • Oxfordshire Arts Week
  • Race for Life (Cancer Research)
  • Riding for the Disabled
  • Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, rugby team
  • SCOPE