Rockfon aids recycling on unique hospital project

The new 512-bed Pembury Hospital is unique in the UK as the only major general hospital with a fully admitting A&E to offer all inpatient accommodation in single en-suite bedrooms. Built for the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, the £230 million hospital also includes a new Women’s and Children’s Centre and a full complement of clinical and support services. Rockfon MediCare ceiling tiles were specified throughout the facility to meet strict hygiene requirements and aesthetic needs.

During construction, a major requirement was the reduction of waste and recycling including all packaging, off-cuts and wrapping. Rockfon has been working closely with Multi Services Kent Ltd to achieve this target. Barry Keymer, Senior Sustainability Manager for MSK explains: “Our on-site logistics team segregated all off-cuts and damaged materials onto the original delivery pallets. The materials were then checked for cross contamination before removal to our resource centre. Full loads of segregated waste will then be returned to Rockfon’s manufacturing plant for recycling. This partnership approach to procurement, logistics and waste management reduces waste to landfill, minimises financial burdens and limits carbon emissions from wasted journeys.”

The main contractor, Laing O’Rourke, also worked with the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) to find alternative uses for off-cuts of mixed insulation materials. NISP found a video production company who were looking to source reusable materials for their own new-build studios. This company was delighted to take the mixed insulation materials and use them for sound and buildings insulation, providing them with considerable cost savings and reducing the environmental impact of both building projects.

Rockfon’s range of MediCare ceiling tiles are all resistant to ubiquitous bacteria and fungi, in particular MRSA. All MediCare tiles have smooth aesthetically pleasing surfaces, reinforced by a concealed mesh that provides enhanced impact resistance and durability; perfect for busy hospitals where regular access to services hidden behind the ceilings is required. The MediCare range is easy to cut and handle and is available in sizes up to 2.4m in length to span corridor widths.

Rockfon now offers a recycling scheme on all projects, supplying bags to collect and store waste and off-cuts from site. These are then collected by a licensed waste carrier and returned to Rockwool’s factory in Pencoed for recycling back into the production process. Rockfon ceiling tiles are also 100% recyclable at end of life, making them an environmentally sound choice.