As part of its industry leading sustainability programme, Step Towards Greener, Dulux Trade Contract Partnership has invited a number of well recognised experts to share their sustainability journeys with you. Listen and learn how they have set challenges, identified solutions, engaged team members and inspired others.

Sustainability is an increasingly important part of being an efficient, effective and responsible construction company. It helps set your company apart from the competition. Fortunately, adopting a more sustainable approach to running a business is not difficult.

With just a few simple steps any construction company can start to minimise its impact on the planet, improve its economic viability and engage with its workforce and local community.

M&S

Plan A Construction Team:

In 2007 M&S launched Plan A, an eco and ethical strategy tackling climate change, waste, raw materials, health and being a fair partner.   In 2010 the retailer committed to building two sustainable learning stores each year: The first of the series, Ecclesall Road in Sheffield opened its doors in April 2011.    

The Plan A team aim to use the stores to develop their knowledge of sustainable construction by trialing new technologies and processes which if successful can be rolled out across their property portfolio. It鈥檚 part of M&S鈥檚 drive to become one of the world鈥檚 most sustainable retailers by 2015.      

The Ecclesall Road Simply Food store was built on an old petrol station site, recycling all the demolished building鈥檚 waste and using reclaimed bricks from a local mill to build the outer shell.   

100% LED lighting has been installed throughout to reduce energy consumption by a predicted 25% and a heat reclaim system which recycles waste heat from the refrigerators to heat the building will reduce carbon emissions by 23%. 

Aiming for a BREEAM Excellent retail rating with a score of 78.49%, Head of Construction, Plan A, Munish Datta says: 鈥楨ngaging people in trying to deliver a project like this is all about winning hearts and minds鈥�.

鈥橧t鈥檚 about making sure that people are with you in terms of knowing how important it is to create sustainable buildings鈥︹��.then actually they鈥檒l work harder for you to create, and deliver on some of the tough targets that you鈥檝e set for it鈥�.

To find out more about Dulux Trade Contract Partnership and its industry leading sustainability program, Step Towards Greener, check out the tab titled 鈥淪tep Towards Greener鈥�, or