Glass Specialist goes further to be greener

Date: 12 January 2009

Solaglas Windowcare is putting recycling at the forefront for its South Yorkshire employees. The glass repair and replacement specialist is urging its workforce in Hellaby, near Rotherham to take control of the company’s waste management by implementing renewable practices throughout its premises. The business has created an environmental committee made up of 12 people from management, administration and manufacturing to identify opportunities to recycle waste and reduce the company’s use of resources. More than 300 employees at the main office, which houses a full manufacturing facility, are being urged to recycle, not only aluminium cans and paper, but also plastics and polystyrene.

Food waste is also being collected from the staff restaurant to be turned into compost.

The Saint-Gobain-owned company has since put into place a process to recycle off-cuts from the manufacturing process used to produce double-glazed units, timber, aluminium and uPVC window frames.

In pursuit of a paperless environment it is also reducing the number of wastepaper bins it supplies to offices and is encouraging administrative staff to reuse paper when possible. It is estimated that this will save over 120 plastic rubbish bags being discarded each day or 43,800 bags over a year.

Ian Davy, managing director at Solaglas Windowcare is giving his full support to the scheme and said: “As a responsible business, we recognise that we need to have a clear strategy in place and do our bit to limit our impact on the environment. This includes investing in more efficient machinery, combined with effective disposal and re-use where possible of our manufacturing waste – without compromising on the quality of products.

“Engaging the support of our employees is vital to creating a greener workplace, and we are investing in methods to make recycling at work as easy as doing it at home.”

Solaglas Windowcare provides window and frame installation and repair nationwide. It employs 400 staff and in 2007/08 its turnover was £23.5m. The company’s clients include major insurers, loss adjusters, and facilities management companies, building maintenance companies, government agencies, local authorities, hotels and retail outlets.

Notes to editors

Images are available from Nigel Charlesworth 07964 900 861.

nigel@thesmartagenc.co.uk

Ian Davy is available for interview by arrangement with Nigel at The Smart Agency.

About Solaglas Windowcare

Solaglas Windowcare is the industry leader in the repair and replacement of windows and doors on behalf of insurance companies, commercial organisations and public sector agencies, making major savings compared to equivalent replacement costs.

Solaglas Windowcare operates in sectors:

• Insurance Services

• Commercial Glazing

• Maintenance Services

• Call Management

About Saint-Gobain Glass

Saint-Gobain Glass is part of Saint-Gobain Group – one of the world’s top 100 industrial companies and a leader in the design, production and distribution of materials for the construction industry. With a commitment to innovation, Saint-Gobain Group invests more than £257 million a year in research and development.

www.solaglaswindowcare.co.uk