London 2012s green build on track

24 Nov 2009

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is on track to meet their sustainability targets for the London 2012 construction project.

Trees to be planted in the Olympic Park

ODA Chairman John Armitt visits the semi-mature trees that will planted in the Olympic Park

The targets cover a variety of areas including using low-carbon materials, recycling construction waste, incorporating rain-water harvesting and installing bird and bat boxes into the design and build of venues.

Among other achievements, the ODA has reported it is currently beating the target to deliver 50 per cent of materials, by weight, to the Olympic Park by rail or water transport – the ODA is currently achieving more than 60 per cent. This is helping to reduce vehicle movements and the resulting carbon emissions.

The ODA has also reported that 90 per cent of construction waste is being diverted from landfill and is being reused or recycled instead. The first of 4,000 trees have also been planted on site.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: ‘Sustainability is at the heart of our project and what we tasked our contractors is unprecedented for a project of this size and scale.

‘Our targets include reusing and recycling 90 per cent of waste, delivering over half the materials needed by sustainable transport methods, using natural remediation methods to clean soil, barges to take away segregated waste through newly-dredged waterways and only legal and sustainable timber sourced through a supplier panel.’

The project’s sustainability standards have also been recognised by winning the ‘Legacy for Sustainability’ award at the Constructing Excellence National Awards 2009.

Download a ‘snapshot’ document summarising the sustainability measures being taken on the construction of the Olympic Park

Download the full ODA design and construction update

Read the full media release