Balfour Beatty : Living Places switches on Prison Service partnership to save over £50,000

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04 October 2017

Balfour Beatty Living Places, working with Derby City Council, has partnered with Foston Hall Prison to provide work experience for women in custody.

The work will see women 'earn and learn', gaining valuable work experience, by deconstructing 13,000 street lamps, which have been upgraded to LED street lanterns by Balfour Beatty Living Places, on behalf of Derby City Council. The project will enable street lighting, which may have previously been destined for landfill, to be fully recycled with no landfill requirements.

Having been sorted at the prison, the mixed elements from the street lanterns will be recycled for various uses; the recycled plastic and glass will be reused by the automotive sector; the copper will be recycled to form household cable; and the steel will be melted down and used for a variety of purposes.

The work is set to generate a total saving of over £50,000 including procurement costs, as well as equipping the women in custody with skills and experience to help them into sustained employment on release. Evidence shows having sustainable work on release significantly reduces the risk of reoffending with this initiative supporting the ongoing work of prisons and prison staff to do just that.

The project is supported by two providers, Reconomy, who specialise in the disposal of waste and recycling, and their supply chain partner, Ward Recycling, who will transport the materials between Balfour Beatty's depot and Foston Hall Prison and their recycling plants.

Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: 'Balfour Beatty continuously seeks to identify innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint whilst also providing the best value for money to our customers. This initiative will result in cost savings for Derby City Council, in addition to offering a new source of training at Foston Hall Prison. We look forward to continuing our close partnership with Derby City Council and the Prison Service to deliver benefits to all.'

Andrea Black, Governor of HMP/YOI Foston Hall, said: 'I am delighted to be working with local businesses and partners on this project, which gives women the skills they need for future employment. We always aim to support the community and by working alongside prospective employers, schemes such as this will help some of those in our care find jobs on release and reduce reoffending.'

Councillor Asaf Afzal, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Public Protection, said: 'Derby City Council is very pleased to have been able to partner with Balfour Beatty and Foston Hall Prison in this way. While the new LED street lanterns will both save us money and reduce our carbon footprint, it is reassuring that the old lanterns can be efficiently and effectively recycled as well as providing a great training opportunity for the women in custody there.'

ENDS

Media enquiries to:
Cassie Farrar
Balfour Beatty
t: +44 (0) 207 963 2150
e: cassie.farrar@balfourbeatty.com

For all non-media related enquiries please contact +44 (0)20 7216 6800 or info@balfourbeatty.com

Notes to editors:
• Balfour Beatty Living Places works in long-term partnerships with local authorities to create great places to live, work and play. We actively engage with local people to understand the needs of the communities we work in and shape the places where local economies can thrive and grow. We're a leader in sustainable working, diversity and social value, and we use our expertise to bring real, positive change for our customers. We leave a legacy of connected communities with strong local economies that really work for local people with clean, safe and prosperous streets and social spaces.
• Her Majesty's Prison Foston Hall is a Closed Female prison. The Prison Service acquired the Hall and grounds in 1953. During its Prison Service history Foston Hall has been a Detention Centre, an immigration centre, and finally before its closure during 1996 a satellite of nearby Sudbury prison. It was re-opened on 31 July 1997, following major refurbishment and building work, as a closed female establishment. The prison has an operational capacity of 342 spread over eight wings that serve a variety of functions.