Steelwork contractor reduces carbon footprint

Barrett Steel Buildings has an- nounced a 10% business footprint reduction and a manufacturing reduction of 7%, after measuring its overall carbon footprints against its figures for 2006.

“In November 2006 we utilised the expertise of SCI and carbon solutions company dcarbon8 to establish our carbon footprint for the first time,” explained Sue Sharples, Barrett Steel Buildings Joint Managing Director.

“Our main objectives were to measure and then reduce our green- house gas emissions, and be able to offer carbon neutral building products to our clients.”

Barrett Steel Buildings success- fully completed the calculations and identified the main contributors to its carbon footprint, and then set up internal forums to set about reducing emissions.

The forums included evaluating electricity and gas consumption, looking at how the company sources, uses, and disposes of paper, and reducing the amount of paint used in its manufacturing process.

In late 2007, Barrett Steel Buildings measured its carbon footprint for a second time to see what progress had been made. “We are delighted to say we have reduced emissions across the board,” said Mrs Sharples.

The company is currently in discussions with its landlord to ensure carbon emissions as well as cost are considered in the choice of energy supplier. Other initiatives for the coming year will include looking at how employees commute, and a new forum to look into more efficient steel design and procurement.