Balfour Beatty is to pioneer a closed loop recycling model for plastic used on its building sites, in what is being hailed as a first for the construction industry.

The scheme, a partnership between Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, plastics recycler Centriforce, and collection firm V10 Polymers, will see mixed plastic waste collected from around 100 sites and recycled into protective covers for high-voltage power lines, fibre-optic cables, and gas and water pipes.

Previously, some plastic waste, such as pipes and construction barriers, was sold to local recyclers, but a significant proportion was collected by waste management companies for incineration or landfill.

The companies expect to collect between 150 tonnes and 200 tonnes of plastic each year, equating to a carbon saving of up to 2,500 tonnes through landfill avoidance and reducing the use of virgin raw materials.

“We are not aware of any other UK construction company achieving this closed loop,” said Simon Carroll, managing director of Centriforce.

Balfour Beatty’s 2020 sustainability vision requires the company to halve its direct and indirect emissions by the end of the decade, while also ensuring that zero waste is sent to landfill from projects.

“This project is a fantastic demonstration of our 2020 Vision for sustainability, showing innovative work with our supply chain, preventing waste to landfill, utilising recycled products and reducing the carbon impacts of what we do with our clients,” said Andrew Edlin, general manager for environment and sustainability at Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions.