Welsh Government Buildings Recognised for Sustainability Performance

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21 August 2024 | Updated 23 August 2024

Three government buildings in Wales have been praised for their exceptional sustainability performance. 

All three buildings lead on the Welsh government’s push for net-zero by 2025 and deliver on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This act defines  sustainable development in Wales as: “The process of improving the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales by taking action, in accordance with the sustainable development principle, aimed at achieving the wellbeing goals.” 

The projects have also been recognised for their exceptional sustainability performance in a study by the Office Furniture Remanufacturing Association.

 

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Transport for Wales Headquarters, Pontypridd

 

Transport for Wales’ HQ  exemplifies sustainable practices with its low-carbon and cost-efficient spaces. The building has four innovation rooms, a library, town square, casual working zones, flexible public use/enquiry space, external and internal meeting rooms, bike storage, showers, and drying rooms. 

The office building also features solar power and water harvesting systems and plants throughout the building. 30 per cent of the furniture was sourced from two pre-existing Transport for Wales offices, 47 per cent was remanufactured, and 16 per cent was made by local manufacturers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90,000 kg of CO2e and reusing 31.8 tonnes of furniture. 

 

Picture: a photograph of the exterior of the Transport for Wales HQ building. Image Credit: Transport for Wales

 

 

North Wales Police Eastern Command and Custody Centre, Llay

 

The North Wales Police centre in Llay is hailed as the UK’s greenest police station. 88 per cent of the furniture was refurbished or remanufactured, saving 58 tonnes of CO2e emissions and avoiding 26 tonnes of waste. Furniture was sourced from Wrexham Police Station, Flintshire County Council offices, and local suppliers, supporting local circular economy businesses. 

Dr Greg Lavery, Director of Rype Office, said: “At the start of this project we put a pin in the map at the new building in Llay and worked outwards looking for furniture sources, upholsterers, powder coaters and carpentry workshops. We found some wonderful suppliers and working with them we were able to keep much of the furniture spend in North Wales, supporting the growth of small local Circular Economy businesses.”

 

NHS Public Health Wales Cardiff

 

NHS Public Health Wales has brought together 550 staff from 10 offices into one sustainable building in Cardiff Bay. 94 per cent of the over 2,500 items of furniture were either remanufactured or refurbished, saving around 134 tonnes of CO2e emissions and diverting 41 tonnes of waste from landfill.

The fit-out received several national and international awards for its sustainable and innovative solutions. Awards include: Green Apple International Silver Award for Environmental Best Practice, Constructing Excellence in Wales Award for Value, Sustain Wales Award for Innovation in Public Services, HSJ Value Award, ICLEI Procura+ International Award, NHS Sustainability Award for Leadership, and the NHS Sustainability Award for Procurement.

Picture: a seating area with sofas and a table. Image Credit: Rype Office

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 21 August 2024

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