Westfield aims to manage waste efficiently, by minimising waste sent to landfill, and re-using and recycling waste wherever possible. This year Westfield has expanded reporting on waste to include the United States and is therefore now reporting on waste for the entire Group.
In Australia waste management includes such initiatives as: the public place recycling program which was launched in 2010; retailer education and training; improved engagement with cleaning providers; and dock consolidation to reduce the number of waste docks in operation. In New Zealand there has been continued emphasis on a long-term strategy to reduce waste to landfill and increase recycling and recycling in food courts has been introduced.
The UK portfolio has focused on retailer engagement to educate and encourage waste segregation with a range of initiatives contributing to a zero-landfill-to-waste achieved at all centres.
In 2012 Westfield produced 180,908 tonnes of non-hazardous waste and 8 tonnes of hazardous waste. This represents a reduction in non-hazardous waste of 74%, which is due to the completion of redevelopment at Westfield Fountain Gate in Australia. In 2011 Fountain Gate excavated nearly 500,000 tonnes of soil and clay during the construction project, which was subsequently re-used in other works, contributing to a large ‘re-used waste’ figure for the Group in 2011.
In 2012, 41% of waste over the Group’s portfolio was recycled, reused, recovered or composted.
The 8 tonnes of hazardous waste comprised materials such as floor sealers and coatings at Merry Hill in the United Kingdom and asbestos at Airport West in Australia.
