Knowles’ Approach To Sustainability
Knowles has long understood the impact our industry has on the environment. We create beautiful spaces for our clients, but our vision must extend beyond our projects, and look ahead to the future. Whilst Knowles has always been conscious of our site emissions, invested in low-emission and electric company vehicles and engaged with local suppliers, we knew that in 2019 we wanted to go a step further.
In 2019, Knowles wanted to reduce the use of single-use plastic on every one of our sites. In order to make this happen, we provided every operative with a metal water bottle, and installed filtered water taps within our site welfare areas to ensure that our team can fill-up on site.
In 2019, Knowles wanted to reduce the use of single-use plastic on every one of our sites. In order to make this happen, we provided every operative with a metal water bottle, and installed filtered water taps within our site welfare areas to ensure that our team can fill-up on site.
On our sites outside of London, where extra-space is available, we have an advanced waste segregation set-up, our site canteens are healthy and plant-based, we use limited and environmentally friendly site lighting and we encourage car-sharing – all of these measures ensure that the areas of outstanding natural beauty that we operate in experience minimal impact from our construction sites.
As the industry becomes more socially aware of our impact, we’re working with our suppliers to explore the use of reusable and sustainable construction materials such as rebar.
In 2020, we started to work with One Tree Planted – a charity that plants trees across the globe. Every month, Knowles donates one tree per employee, and so far in 2020 we have planted 200 trees. www.onetreeplanted.org
Upon commencement of each site, we directly review the suitable sustainable measures that we can implement and work with our client and our in-house health & safety manager to make these happen.
Our Eco Initiatives:
- Metal water bottles
- Filtered taps
- Plant-based canteens – where relevant
- Use of local suppliers
- Encouraging car sharing
- Employee tree planting
- Use reusable materials
- Waste segregation
- Minimal use of lighting
- Constant monitoring of site omissions