Gunwharf Quays mixed-use development in Portsmouth is leading the way in waste management, re-use and recycling programmes. The 33-acre site comprises of 95 designer outlets, 20 bars and restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, a bowling complex, comedy club, casino, a health and fitness club and a 130-bedroom hotel. In addition, the underground multi storey car park is one of the largest in Europe. All in all, the site has to deal with a lot of waste.

However, the centre has had a committed approach to reducing the amount of rubbish which needs to be removed from site for over five years, but the current spotlight on cost in light of economic conditions have only reinforced this focus, says Peter Emery, centre manager at Gunwharf. “In the current climate, with increased haulage and landfill costs it wouldn’t be right to see an increase in rubbish,” he admits.

The centre has one of the most forward-thinking waste management programmes in the country. Aside from the corporate social responsibility aspect, Gunwharf has to be extra vigilant about its sustainability practices because of its location on the waterfront. Working in partnership with its occupiers and principal waste contractors the centre has set very high targets to achieve the highest practicable recovery of recyclable material from its waste stream.

Between the dates of April 2008 and March 2009, it recovered almost 400 tonnes of cardboard, 644 tonnes of glass, 23 tonnes of metal, 3 tonnes of coat hangers and 3 tonnes of paper. The centre’s continual review and monitoring of its waste minimisation programme has resulted increasing the amount of waste being either reused or recycled. The site currently recycles 55 per cent of waste – waste that cannot currently be recycled is taken to a local ‘energy from waste’ plant where the rubbish is turned into steam energy. As a result, Gunwharf Quays boasts impressive recycling credentials: 99.5 per cent of waste is reused, recycled or converted into energy.

Various initiatives were deployed in order to reduce the amount of waste produced in the first instance. For example, one initiative involved replacing old-fashioned paper-based newsletters with e-newsletters to minimise the generation of paper waste. In other instances where it has been difficult to elimate waste, reuse schemes have been put in place. An example of this is Gunwharf’s enormously successful coat hanger scheme whereby the surplus supply of coat hangers were given to members of the public rather than ending up
in landfill.

In addition, other tactics were employed to encourage the public to think more sustainably and boost recycling. The centre’s recycling streams have recently been increased by the introduction of plastic bottles and aluminium can collections. The bins were then strategically placed to capture lunch time waste from customers who buy meal deals sold with fizzy drinks and water bottles.