“I haven't got any time for that" is the constant cry of the small construction businesses when faced with questions about the environment, waste management and sustainable construction. Lacking the resources of larger organisations, few have the time or energy to look beyond the immediate horizon. The challenge to Kotuku is how to engage with a sector that produces more waste in London than the entire municipal and commercial waste steams put together.

Kotuku was established in 2001 after the founder had run his own construction company for 15 years and felt a need to make construction more environmentally responsible. They focus mainly on the 90% of construction companies that employ less than eight people, with a specific aim to reduce the 13million tonnes of building products delivered to site and sent away unused.

One of the ways in which Kotuku introduce new ideas to small construction firms, is through using their educational “Café Van”.  Kotuku takes over the building site’s tea break to deliver interactive presentations on resource efficiency in building as well as water polution and duty of care. Bringing the educational aspect of resource management to the key people handling the building materials ensures that the impact is much greater. The drinks and sandwiches only add to the relaxed and interactive atmosphere.

The work of Kotuku doesn’t stop there. They run pilot waste segregation schemes on small building sites as well as working on the concept of a virtual “online skip” providing the industry with a market place for buying and selling unused building materials. 

For residents this all means that, instead of seeing skips piled high with unused materials, they will hopefully see building sites that take responsibility for their waste and impact on the local environment.

Case study issued in November 2005