This case study explores how Telent’s Scotland team are exploring the use of cementitious soil binders to reduce the amount of waste our construction activities produce while improving logistics and cost of bought-in foundation and backfill materials.
The Challenge
Telent's construction activities, particularly for foundation and underground service excavations, generate significant amounts of contaminated soil waste. This waste often requires disposal at licensed landfills, leading to increased carbon emissions from transportation and contributing to environmental degradation. Additionally, Telent's reliance on imported materials like concrete and aggregates further exacerbates the environmental impact.
To address these challenges, Telent is exploring innovative solutions to reduce waste and minimise its environmental footprint.
- 13 per cent of all construction waste is new, unused material
- Only 28 per cent of aggregates used for construction in the UK comes from recycled and secondary materials
The Solution
Telent has been trialling the use of excavated materials binders at its rail centre in Slateford, Edinburgh to mount lightweight GRP posts for carrying equipment such as CCTV cameras and WIFI access points.
This will form part of a test facility where Telent can test and research technology and process to roll out to the wider rail networks and the rest of Telent's businesses.
The GRP post and base weighs just 15kg and can be carried by a single person.
This installation method, because of its lightweight nature and excavated material re-use, can be deployed quickly by a small team. There’s also no need for heavy plant and comes with very little disruption to the operation of the railway or other transport infrastructure at reduced costs and lower CO2 emissions than traditional methods.
The successful implementation of the soil binders at the Slateford Rail Centre will pave the way for wider adoption across the rail network and other sectors. By embracing sustainable practices and innovative technologies, Telent is helping to shape a more sustainable future.
At Telent we will continue to lead the way in sustainable construction, not only transforming its construction practice, but also inspiring others to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Using cementitious soil binders significantly reduces Telent’s construction waste and minimises environmental impact. By reusing excavated materials for lightweight installations, Telent not only streamlines logistics and reduces costs but also lowers carbon emissions associated with traditional construction practices. This pioneering trial at our Slateford Rail Centre demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and sets a benchmark for the industry, while we hope inspiring others to adopt eco-friendly solutions in construction
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