Environmental incidents and emissions

Complaints

As part of our management systems we record incidents (occurrences noted by our own staff which may or may not have led to a complaint) and complaints (arising from external sources).

We use our Entropy software to record incidents, near hits and complaints and improve reporting. It allows us to analyse complaints and introduce appropriate mitigation measures.  Reports are generated monthly and systems are in place for recording and tracking required actions.The number of complaints received increased from 175 to 191 with dust being the most common cause. The particularly windy weather experienced in the summer and autumn was a factor. All complaints were acted on quickly and closed out to try and avoid recurrence.

Complaints.
 
Incidents, complaints and prosecutions
Incidents, complaints and prosecutions
2010 (baseline)
2013
2014
2015
Incidents

167

534

233

292

Complaints

286

126

175

191

Prosecutions

1

0

0

1


Target: 10 per cent year-on-year reduction in complaints based on 2010 figures.

Emissions from cement production

Emissions from the UK cement industry as a whole have reduced significantly over the last 15 years. In 2008 the industry agreed a set of targets for sulphur dixide (SO2) oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and dust emission reduction with the Environment Agency. All three of our cement plants operate at levels below the 2015 industry targets for NOx and, SO2 emissions.  SO2 emissions are related to the presence of volatile sulphur compounds found in the quarried raw materials, so vary depending upon the part of the quarry that is being used.

An investment programme planned for 2016 and 2017  will help to reduce dust emissions from our kilns to below the target level. We publish annual reports of cement plant emissions on our website at www.hanson-communities.co.uk.

Cement emissions to air.
Cement specific emissions - kilogrammes per tonne
Cement specific emissions - kgs per tonne
2010 (baseline)
2013
2014
2015
MPA Cement 2015 targets
Dust to air

0.11

0.10

0.11

0.11

0.1

NOx to air

1.29

1.40

1.22

1.20

2.0

SO2 to air

0.17

0.19

0.17

0.21

1.1


Targets: Reduce NOx emissions by 20 per cent and dust by 10 per cent by 2020 based on 2010 data and maintain 2010 SO2 level

Permit breaches lead to fine

Permit breaches lead to fine.

Hanson was fined £110,600 at Uxbridge magistrates’ court in February 2016 for environmental offences at Acton concrete plant in west London. Read more