ENCORE Environment, one of the leading waste management and environmental consultancies in the UK, has won the ‘Best Mobile App’ award for its ground-breaking app ‘Project Divert’ at the renowned technology and innovation business awards in the South East Midlands – The Biztech Bright Sparc and Digital Awards 2019.
The awards ceremony was held on 22 November at the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Hub in Milton Keynes.
Judged by an impressive cross-section of experts from some of the UK’s most advanced organisations for technology and innovation including university directors, bankers, digital forensic experts, councillors and sustainability specialists, Project Divert beat tough competition to win the accolade. Encore Environment’s entry had to meet a number of criteria that demonstrated a technological solution that transforms lives.
Project Divert is used to make the connection between reusable waste on construction sites to where it could be diverted, so it doesn’t reach landfill. The mobile app holds a unique database of charities, social enterprises, universities, schools, community projects, recyclers, re-processors, MRFs and landfills. By determining location and need, the app facilitates the diversion of waste material such as white goods, carpet tiles, crockery and sand. It also ensures all waste that can be recycled such as metal and glass is diverted to recycling and re-processing facilities.
Large construction companies across the UK are increasingly taking account of the wider economic, social and environmental effects of their actions. This app reduces the cost of disposal, generates carbon savings and has BREEAM reporting functionality. The ‘real’ data outputs of Project Divert means that companies can demonstrate that they are more sustainable.
“We are thrilled to have won this award and for Project Divert to be recognised for having a positive impact on people’s lives and the environment,” said Rachel Rowley, managing director at Encore Environment. “It is having a huge impact on the sector as it is challenging conventional methods of waste disposal. To date, we have already diverted more than 52 tonnes of waste from landfill.”
In the UK, the construction industry is amongst the largest contributors for waste. DEFRA reported in its March 2019 edition of UK Statistics on Waste that, in 2016, the UK generated 222.9 million tonnes of total waste, an increase of 4.2% from the 214.0 million tonnes generated in 2014. Construction, demolition and excavation (CD&E; including dredging) was responsible for 61% of that. Encore Environment’s ethos is that a large amount of this waste can be diverted to alternative points of process.
Rachel concluded: “While the app has been developed primarily for the construction industry, there is a much wider scope to expand into other industries. We are very excited for its future. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the highly skilled and dedicated team that manages operations and underpins our values for exceptional quality and innovation.”