Sustainability expert Envirowise will host two city workshops next month in a bid to educate architects, clients and contractors to develop a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) allowing them all to reap the benefits of working more closely with their supply chain.

The Scottish government funded programme warns that with firms currently paying out £32 per tonne in landfill tax, and with this set to increase by £8 a year, the financial impact on construction firms and their clients can be costly.

In a bid to highlight the importance of working sustainably and the associated cost savings with doing so, Envirowise will deliver two free one-day seminars on Tuesday 27th October at the Apex Dundee on West Victoria Dock Road, and Wednesday 28th October at the Glasgow Science Centre in Pacific Quay. Both events will benefit architects, developers and contractors alike.

The event will focus on collaborative working and provide delegates with practical advice on how to develop existing SWMPs even further by applying sustainability throughout the construction supply chain.

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It will look at ways to optimise the use of materials and how architects can identify opportunities to design out waste, reduce the amount of waste that is generated on site and achieve cost savings.

Ways in which the supply chain can work effectively together to design out waste at the outset of a project will be explored. Attendees will look at how a developer can work with their architect to ensure waste produced throughout a project is minimal. By doing so, costs relating to excess material will be cut and disposal costs reduced. Clients can also ensure that by communicating well with architects and contractors, sustainable working using SWMPs is in place and sustainable materials are being used.

Edinburgh-based hotel, Apex Waterloo Place has recently undergone a large refurbishment of its premises to install environmental initiatives that will help the city hotel further boost its already impressive green credentials.

A key objective of the refurbishment was to work as sustainably as possible throughout the project and reap the benefits of managing its supply chain effectively.

Jo Harbisher, PR & Environmental Director at Apex Hotels, commented: "We recently carried out a major refurbishment at Waterloo Place in Edinburgh turning it into a 187 bedroom hotel plus the sustainable refurbishment of bathrooms at the Apex International and Apex European Hotels in Edinburgh. A great deal of work went into the process to ensure we were re-using what we could, donating to local charities and businesses, and installing the latest technology to reduce energy and water consumption.

"We chose to work with an architect and contractors who had a great deal of experience in sustainable construction and the interiors fitted were designed by selecting durable, sustainable and locally sourced materials."

To book your place at this event visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/scotlandevents

(GK/KMcA)