Waste at our construction sites
Construction waste makes up the largest proportion of our waste (including landfill and recycling). We’re committed to reducing our waste while continuing to grow Aotearoa’s renewable energy assets.
Construction waste makes up the largest proportion of our waste (including landfill and recycling). We’re committed to reducing our waste while continuing to grow Aotearoa’s renewable energy assets.
Meridian’s Sustainable Infrastructure Framework (SIF) supports our sustainability practices on major construction projects, such as new renewable energy developments, and significant maintenance or upgrade projects at our generation sites.
As a minimum standard we ensure best practice separate-at-source stations are installed at all our major development projects.
Where waste is identified as a material impact in the SIF materiality assessment, key contractors must submit a waste management plan. This includes initiatives to optimise the sustainable use of resources following the avoid, reduce, re-use, recycle hierarchy. Where possible, waste is ‘designed out’ – meaning we include materials in our design that we know will later be able to be recycled.
In constructing our Harapaki Wind Farm in Hawke’s Bay, we took a very deliberate approach to materials that are often labelled as single-use. Instead of simply resorting to recycling or sending to the landfill, we actively sought alternative uses, finding creative solutions within our community.
Tackling Zero is Meridian’s quarterly newsletter for people whose roles or studies are focused on sustainability, or for whom this is an area of interest. Each issue will offer Meridian’s insights into a topical sustainability issue, as well as stories on how we, our customers and supply chain partners are tackling sustainability. It also includes links to recent Meridian disclosures such as new policies and reports.