An Aldermaston project has seen success in the Ministry of Defence’s annual Sanctuary Awards.

The long-running awards, which celebrate their 33rd anniversary this year, showcase military and civilian efforts across Defence, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, to protect the environment and drive sustainability and conservation.

The 33rd Sanctuary Awards ceremony was held in Portsmouth and livestreamed to an online audience.

Second place in the Sustainable Construction and Procurement Award went to the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston.

The award recognised the project’s work to reduce the impact of the demolition, including efforts to crush concrete waste on-site and reuse it where possible.

This reduced carbon emissions by saving nearly 2,500 vehicle movements, as well as generating savings of £484,000 by using crushed concrete as infill material.

Overall, 99.98% of waste from the demolition was reused or recycled with only 0.02% going to landfill.

Local suppliers were used wherever possible, which reduced the length of journeys to the site, minimising expenditure and carbon emissions.

Wastewater from dust suppression during the demolition was treated on site and went through the site drainage system, resulting in a saving of £75,000, with rainwater harvesting saving a further £10,000.

Principal Environmental Manager for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Richard Brooks said “DIO is committed to being as sustainable and environmentally forward-thinking as possible, supporting efforts to protect and enhance habitats across our diverse estate, reduce emissions and drive down our carbon footprint.

“The Sanctuary Awards and Sanctuary Magazine recognise the incredible work being undertaken by MOD personnel, Defence industry suppliers and partnerships with external environmental organisations in stewardship, climate change and sustainability.

“Well done to all of the winners and thank you for your contribution to making Defence greener.”

As well as individual category winners, there are three overarching trophies.

The Sustainable Business Award recognises the best larger-scale or commercial project that provides sustainable solutions to help the Armed Forces live, work, train and deploy.

It was won by the Army Energy Efficiency Incentivisation Award Scheme, which was a competition between Army units to reduce energy use.

Over 100 entries were received which collectively reduced energy production by 7% and carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 4,000 cars off the road for a year.

The Innovation Award was won by the Scampton Community and RAF War Graves Heritage Centre.

This award is given to the project that has best exemplified innovative ideas or new ways of working.

This year, it was awarded to a project which has created a sustainable and accessible heritage centre to tell the stories of the 107 RAF Servicemen buried at Scampton village.