Ropemaker Place

When we started our partnership with Ropemaker Place in 2019, recycling rates averaged 58%. Whilst a respectable statistic, Ropemaker Place wanted to be a blueprint for sustainable operations and wanted to demonstrate what collaboration can achieve. They set an ambitious aim to surpass all expectations and demonstrate the building’s leadership in sustainability within the commercial real estate sector and achieve 80% recycling.

The biggest challenge was how to improve habits of waste segregation post-covid. With everyone having been in lockdown, it was difficult to install the correct habits when integrating back into the workplace.

Another challenge was the extremely limited bin storage area, making efficient use of space a critical concern. With the building’s high occupancy and continuous waste generation, the constrained storage capacity required careful planning and innovative solutions to ensure waste could be managed effectively without compromising operational efficiency or sustainability goals. Maximising the use of this restricted area became essential to handle the volume of waste while adhering to environmental regulations and maintaining the building’s high sustainability standards.

Our first project was to support Ropemaker Place in redesigning and maximising space within their loading bay. Through our design service, we created a 3D model of their new Recycling Centre, incorporating new equipment, signage and sorting capabilities to help plan and visualise the space.

We implemented a baler and bin press which significantly reduced the number of bins that were at the site, providing additional space for other waste streams and equipment.

Additionally, the use of on-site weighing scales has meant that we are directly able to track each occupier’s waste. This data is displayed in the building’s reception meaning that each occupier can see each other’s recycling rates. This helps to foster friendly competitiveness between the occupiers and has helped contribute to the increase in recycling rates.

We implemented several engagement strategies to drive stakeholder participation and overcome challenges in Ropemaker’s waste management project. After thorough research, Recorra created 12-month engagement plan targeting key areas for waste reduction. This focused on facilities managers and occupiers to improve waste processes, including upgrading “binfrastructure” and optimising disposal at the source.

We conducted awareness stands and tours of Recorra’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to maintain engagement and education efforts and introduced new recycling streams (paper towels, coffee cups, Vegware and compostable packaging) through a collaborative Recycling Hub in the loading bay.

To address contamination issues, we organised on-site demonstrations for catering teams, showcasing sorting tables and waste processes.

Cluster meetings were held to discuss waste strategy, increasing awareness of waste management. Awareness stands by Recorra’s sustainability consultants engaged facilities management staff and the public.

In 2024, Ropemaker Place achieved a recycling rate of 87%, with the recycling rate now consistently over 80%.

Contamination rates decreased through improved education and processes. We implemented the UK’s first sorting table made from flexible plastics (Stormboard).

Ropemaker has achieved a closed-loop recycling system: recycled paper is repurchased from Recorra and its compostable waste is returned as compost for Ropemaker’s roof terrace garden where herbs and edible plants are grown for use in the building’s kitchen.

To reduce their carbon footprint, Ropemaker wanted to increase on-site renewable energy and 50% more solar panels than originally planned were installed.

Ropemaker’s success has made Savills decide to adopt its sustainability initiatives company-wide.

The partnership has also won several industry awards including Green Apple Awards, Zero Waste awards and a nomination for a prestigious National Recycling Award.

We are currently working with Ropemaker Place as a trial site for a large-scale waste reduction project.  Currently focusing on food waste, we are using photographic evidence of contaminated bins to communicate with occupiers directly. We also undertook visits of our Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) demonstrating the recycling process and the importance of placing the right materials in the right bin. We will be engaging directly with the occupiers to see how they can reduce their food waste, giving them more granular level data and recommendations that they can implement.

If we can reduce their food waste whilst maintaining the 80%+ recycling rates in 2024, this would be a fantastic achievement.

Additionally, Ropemaker Place purchases closed-loop supplies from our office supplies department. This includes closed-loop paper, compost from compostable packaging and most recently 100% recycled hi-vis jackets from plastic bottles.

The project has shifted focus from peak recycling to a joint decarbonisation effort, aiming for zero waste and zero carbon. This approach sets a new standard for sustainable waste management in commercial settings and promotes wider adoption of circular economy principles aiming to become a zero waste building.