Materials use policy

BAA recognises that its use of certain materials - HFC refrigerants, PVC, aggregates, and timber, is a significant issue for the company in making progress towards sustainability. BAA acknowledges the importance of its role in actively leading its supply chain to reduce the potential impacts of these materials.

As a result BAA is committed to actively promoting the sustainable use of these materials and in the search for alternative products and solutions. In addition, BAA is committed to minimising impacts associated with those materials.

This means:

• Identifying areas of major use and evaluating alternatives in supply-chain acquisitions and during projects
• Positively discriminating against the use of these materials through the use of a hurdle-based evaluation process
• Evaluating suppliers on their performance in reducing sustainability impacts associated with the material.
• Applying best practice through design standards and instructions
• Membership of relevant and externally recognised organisations, such as WWF95+ group, to benchmark performance, share best practice and demonstrate performance delivery.
  

Specific Policies
HFC Refrigerants
To promote the active evaluation of alternative (non-HFC) refrigerants and associated equipment solutions and in the short term to positively discriminate (in capital expenditure terms) against the use of HFC refrigerants.

PVC
BAA will work with its supply chain to continue to minimise the use of PVC products and actively support and encourage the search for alternative products and solutions.

Aggregates
To promote the use of best practice through a best practice sheet that encourages minimising virgin usage and reducing transport impacts and those of quarry operations on neighbouring communities.

Timber
To demonstrate our commitment to using sustainable timber by joining WWF95+, understanding the sources of our timber and agreeing to procure more industry-certified sustainable timber each year.