The 2012 London Olympics have established an environmental procurement template for the world, and wood is well-placed to capitalise.
This was the message to the Shippers Lunch in London last week from BRE chief executive Peter Bonfield, who, as the Olympic Delivery Authority’s leader for construction products, was one of architects of the Games’ procurement policy.
The bulk of timber and wood products used on the Olympics site are being channelled through a selected panel of 16 companies but, even if it doesn’t come this route, has to be FSC or PEFC certified and backed by watertight chain of custody. Dr Bonfield told the 180-strong audience at the lunch that, after initial headaches, the approach had bedded in and worked well.
“Contractors don’t like to break their normal routes to market, but they have understood the benefit of this system and how they can apply it across their business,” he said. “We’ve come a hell of a long way and contractors are now confident with the model, how it can be replicated on other projects and how they can take advantage.”
The timber sector, he added, had shown “ambition and energy” to supply the Games and wood’s use on the main site, notably in the roof and interiors of the velodrome, showed how it could work in modern, sustainable construction and in conjunction with other materials. The Olympics overall were also an exemplar of timber and wood products certification.
The Shippers Lunch was organised by the Plywood Luncheon Club.
