Sheffield Forgemasters' aim is to be an industry leader in environmental governance. As well as adhering to the necessary legislations, such as environmental & greenhouse gas permits, we aim to go above and beyond to improve our local environment.
Our commitments are therefore to our local community, the environment and our employees.
We have set a target of 100% reduction of waste to landfill and are currently on target, regularly achieving 99.5% or above.
To avoid use of metal ores and raw materials extracted from the earth in our steel production we use ‘Green Steel’. This means sourcing scrap steel left over from other manufacturing companies and processes. Waste material, such as turnings or swarf, created at supplier or third party sites is also collected and returned our site where it re-enters our steel supply.
Some waste materials can not be returned to the steel supply, these waste products are safely collected and distributed to carefully selected contractors for further recycling. Slag for example is used in road surfacing aggregate. Dust is sent for Zinc extraction and then on to be used for aggregates.
Our site is supplied with renewable heat from the Sheffield District Heating Network (DHN), saving approximately 10,000 MWh of gas per year. Renewable energy is generated in a biomass-fuelled combined heat and power plant, from waste food and wood. It is supplied to 40,000 homes and businesses locally. Sheffield Forgemasters is also looking at ways to supply waste heat from our steel production back into the District Heating Network.
In recent years we have made significant investments in our site and equipment from simple measures such as LED lighting to an investment of £2m in our Electric Arc Furnace to make it more energy efficient. We are also in the early stages of introducing solar panels, providing further renewable energy for the site.
As with many steel sites in the UK Sheffield Forgemasters is based next to a river which traditionallly supplied water for cooling of materials and equipment. As time and technologies have moved on the reliance on local river water has reduced but our commitment to the River Don has not. Along with three other local companies, we take full Riparian Owner Responsibilities to maintain river beds and banks through the Lower Don Valley section of the River Don.
We have installed water meters throughout the site allowing us to track and reduce usage. This has led to a reduction in the millions of litres and much less burden on Towns water. We have also installed a Ureco system throughout the site toilets further reducing Usage 16 million litres per year. Where possible our equipment is now cooled with recirculated water which again reduces demand on Town water supplies.
Sheffield Forgemasters is based in any industrial setting so it was decided to created a garden for employees to enjoy. The garden was built in place of an unsightly storage area. It provides a home for a wide variety of insect and bird life, including our resident ducks.
We hope that this is a small contribution to the flora and fauna of the wider community and a pleasant place for our staff and vistors to enjoy.
As well as our main garden we have a number of beds and planters around the site and regularly enter the Yorkshire in Bloom event in the Large Business Premises category, often placing in the final, recently we were awarded Silver.
Sheffield Forgemasters takes commitment to the local environment, energy and the welfare of our most important asset, our people, very seriously.
We are constantly exploring opportunities to improve the perfomance and effectiveness of our business. At the same time providing a safe and happy working enviornment for our employees.
Waste Reduction
Target of 100% reduction of waste to landfill. Regularly above 99.5%
Energy Reduction
Sheffield Forgemasters are targeting a 5% energy reduction year on year
Renewables
Since joining the District Heating Network we have reduced gas usage by approx 10,000 MWh per year
