Monday 16th October 2023
As a core part of our Sustainability Business Plan as outlined in our Global 2023 Sustainability Report, the management of water, and its reduction in our facilities is at the forefront of the sustainability drive in the UK. Below are measures we have developed towards our water reduction goal. Alongside our other sustainability actions, we have been shortlisted as Sustainable Lab of the Year at the 2023 Lab Awards.
Rainwater Harvesting at ALS Chatteris
Rainwater harvesting is the collection, storage, and filtration of reclaimed rainwater from the roof area of a building. Reused rainwater can provide a sustainable water supply for toilet flushing irrigation and lab glass washers. Reducing reliance on mains water supplies provides water savings, reduced carbon emissions, and significant savings on monthly water bills.
Rainwater from the Block D roof at Chatteris is captured and stored in a 25,000-litre underground tank. The captured water is pumped to the plant room where it is processed for use in laboratory glass washers. The six washers that are supplied use 75 litres of water per cycle and are in operation 6 times a day on average.
- Providing the UK weather co-operates, the site can reduce mains water usage by over 840,000 litres per annum.
- A water saving of 840,000 litres per year equates to a carbon reduction of 147 Kg of CO2 emissions.
Waterless Urinals
Waterless urinals are being installed across all our sites as an alternative to flushable water urinals. So far, a total of 25 conventional flushing urinals have been replaced at sites throughout the UK.
- Total water saved across the sites is 2765 M³ per annum.
Recycling Waste Food into Water
A simple bio-digester solution which can handle any quantity of food waste and digest it onsite. Results in a reduction in vehicle collections and landfill. Waste2) food waste bio-digesters have been installed in all but one of our Food UK sites.
For further information about ALS’ commitments to World Food Day globally, please find out further information here.
Take the chance to educate yourself further with information from the FAO.