Willis Construction has been established for more than 30 years and developed a Green Dragon EMS to ensure good practice and to support their environmental strategy.
The company has its head office in Cardiff, traditionaly delivering Welsh Housing Quality Standard domestic planned maintenance and refurbishment contracts for social housing landlords, but now has increased its capacity and capability for new build projects along with insurance claims repairs.
Willis Construction’s most significant environmental impacts are the emissions due to transport activities and waste production and the original key recommendations to reduce these impacts have all been achieved. However, the company takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and is keen to consider additional measures of good practice.
- Excellent record of pollution prevention with detailed plans for all sites, always aiming to use best environmental practice
- Solar photovoltaic system has been installed on the office roof to reduce grid generated electricity whilst also providing a green income.
- Site Waste Management Plan developed for every site, which provides a structure for waste delivery and disposal at all stages during a construction project.
Through working with the Green Dragon standard the company and its staff have strengthened knowledge of their impact on and knowledge of biodiversity. They have been adding additional elements to new build social housing schemes e.g. brick bat boxes built into façades and working with the RSPB and a local school adjacent a new-build residential development in Cardiff to develop an ornithology project, installing 7 swift boxes.
As the majority of our Clients have always been public sector, we have been delivering social sustainability added value initiatives for many years. Accordingly, our approach to corporate social responsibility has naturally evolved during this period and we now consider membership of the Green Dragon Environmental Standard to be a fundamental element. Apart from the legal and compliance aspects, membership has a number of powerful benefits, not least being the reassurance to Clients and stakeholders that we also take environmental management seriously. Additionally, the operation of the Environmental Management System has improved company systems and staff understanding, influenced decision making and led to operational and commercial efficiencies
Peter Jenkins, Director