Description

In this enlightening episode of The Heald Approach Podcast, host Rebecca sits down with Lynne Burden, the Associate Director in Sustainability at MACE.

Lynne shares her journey and the innovative approaches MACE is taking to integrate sustainability into the construction industry. From expanding their sustainability team to implementing circular economy principles and focusing on biodiversity, Lynne provides valuable insights into making sustainability a core part of business operations.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in environmental sustainability and the future of construction.

Key Points:

• Sustainability at MACE:

  • Growth of the sustainability team from 25 to 200 members.
  • Integration of sustainability into all projects, regardless of client requests.

• Circular Economy:

  • Explanation of circular economy principles and their application in construction.
  • Case study: Using plastic waste to create vanity units for commercial office spaces.

• Carbon and Biodiversity:

  • Differentiating between net zero carbon and carbon neutrality.
  • Biodiversity net gain legislation and its impact on construction projects.

• Cultural Change and Innovation:

  • Shift from viewing sustainability as secondary to making it central to business operations.
  • Encouragement of innovation and learning from past projects.

• Client Engagement:

  • Increasing client interest in sustainability.
  • Importance of early involvement in projects to effectively implement sustainable practices.

Quotes:

• "Sustainability has become more embedded in our operations, shifting from an add-on to a core component of our business practices." – Lynne Burden
• "The circular economy is about seeing waste as a resource and keeping materials in use for as long as possible." – Lynne Burden
• "It's essential to start thinking about sustainability from the very beginning of a project, rather than trying to tick the box later on." – Rebecca

Resources:

• Learn more about MACE and their sustainability initiatives here.
• Follow Lynne Burden on LinkedIn here.