Product category:
Industrial, Portable and Prefabricated Buildings
News Release from: Terrapin
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 March 2008
ISO 14001 gives terrapin the green light
Achieving ISO 14001 accreditation has put off-site building manufacturer Terrapin at the forefront of environmental performance in the off-site construction sector.
The international environmental management standard is awarded to companies that document and regularly review their systems and products with the aim of reducing waste and pollution As part of the ISO 14001 accreditation process, Terrapin has implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) which is being used to drive continual environmental improvements throughout the entire organisation
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 26 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The construction industry is under increasing pressure from clients and building users to deliver project solutions that bring enhanced sustainability.
As a result, ISO 14001 certification has become a de facto requirement on many building projects as organisations in the supply chain seek to mitigate environmental risk.
Terrapin's MD Patrick Howlett White comments, "Gaining ISO 14001 demonstrates not only our commitment to minimising the environmental impact of our own premises and site operations but, as importantly, our approach to the environmental impact of the buildings that we provide for others".
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"It has involved educating our staff and developing practices that promote sustainable development across all areas of the business and will ensure that Terrapin is fit for the future".
Terrapin adopted a structured approach to achieving ISO 14001 with assistance from the government-sponsored Business Environmental Training Initiative (BETI+) programme and independent environmental consultants.
The company has implemented a range of green practices, including responsible sourcing of raw materials, employee training in environmental and waste awareness, and increased recycling.
Indeed, Terrapin has boosted its total recycling capacity, including gypsum based products, such as plasterboard, from 15% to 60% of total waste produced.
Terrapin's ISO 14001 accredited EMS covers all operations, from agreeing an order to delivering an innovative solution.
It includes documented procedures for key areas and also provides a framework to control and initiate ongoing improvements.
Patrick Howlett White says, "With the introduction of a documented system we are able to satisfy the high standards of the ISO and show the industry that we are an environmentally responsible organisation".
"As well as a moral and social obligation, good environmental practice also makes good business sense because it enhances efficiency and inspires customer confidence".
Terrapin is a privately owned company which has been expanding and promoting the potential of modern methods of off-site construction since the 1940s.
It grew with the development of modular classroom buildings throughout the baby boom and is now a leader in factory assembled building frames, panels and volumetric modules for projects such as hotels, prisons, hospitals, schools and apartments.
Terrapin is the first company to be accredited under Buildoffsite's new supplier registration scheme operated by Lloyd's Register.
The scheme standardises all aspects of the offsite process and ensures best practice, offering clients confidence in the assured levels of competence, methodology and safe working of the accredited supplier.
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