A Contractor’s View on Sustainability – Veitchi Flooring

At Veitchi Flooring, sustainability is not just a target – it’s a core value integrated into every aspect of its operations. Achieving Gold Membership status with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and maintaining accreditation to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard are key milestones that reflect Veitchi’s commitment to continuous environmental improvement.

“Our sustainability journey gained real momentum in 2018,” say Group Operations Manager Colin Simpson and Flooring Contract Manager Ed Murison. “This was when we made a strategic decision to embed measurable and impactful environmental practices across the business. Since then, we’ve taken deliberate steps – both on-site and off-site – to drive progress, reduce our environmental footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable construction industry.

“One of the first major changes came in 2019, when we transitioned to energy-efficient, battery-powered tools across our sites. This switch not only reduced carbon emissions, but also improved health and safety outcomes by lowering vibration exposure and eliminating trailing cables. At the same time, we upgraded 24 vehicles in our fleet to lower-emission models, reinforcing our commitment to cleaner transportation.

“On our larger projects, we’ve seen the greatest strides in sustainable practices, often in collaboration with tier 1 main contractors who now consistently prioritise environmental performance and employ dedicated environmental managers. Mobile recycling bins are now a standard feature on these sites, improving waste segregation and promoting circular waste practices. While implementing the same on smaller sites can be challenging due to logistical constraints, we are actively advocating for broader adoption of sustainable practices across all project sizes and contractor tiers.”

In the meantime, Veitchi Flooring claims to take full responsibility for its waste. It operates a Waste Carrier Licence, maintains waste collection infrastructure at all its premises, and currently achieves an impressive 97% landfill diversion by tonnage at its Cambuslang headquarters.

“Our commitment is best exemplified by our work on the Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre project,” say Colin and Ed. “There, we installed over 23,000sqm of Polyflor vinyl and diverted approximately 2,300sqm of material from landfill. By returning 28 Recofloor bins – each with a capacity of 1,100 litres – we saved 9 tonnes of vinyl from waste. Through our participation in the F. Ball Recycling Scheme, we also prevented the equivalent of 14,000 plastic bottles from entering the waste stream. This effort was recognised with the Recofloor 2025 Project of the Year Award.

“Sustainability at Veitchi Flooring goes beyond materials and recycling. During early design discussions for the Baird & ANCHOR project, our team proposed 20mm corner curves in hospital corridors – smaller than the standard 40mm – to reduce trolley damage and extend flooring lifespan. We also substituted latex-based screeds with low-VOC, water-based alternatives, further minimising harmful emissions.”

“Innovation continues across a range of projects. At Aberdeen FC’s Cormack Park Training Facility, a facility opened by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2019, we laid loose-lay vinyl flooring throughout the £12 million centre. This method provided the durability required for high-traffic areas – especially those subject to studded footwear – while also offering ease of future uplift and reuse, aligning with circular economy principles.”

“Our sustainability efforts extend to our own facilities. Our head office has recently installed photovoltaic solar panels and EV charging outlets, with other branches exploring similar upgrades. At our Stirling branch, a switch from single to double-glazed windows has improved energy efficiency, and designated Energy Officers across all sites actively monitor and optimise resource consumption.

“Sustainability is considered in every decision we make,” says Colin. “It’s about more than just compliance; it’s a standing item in our team conversations and a constant driver for change. We’ve built a culture where anyone can contribute an idea to improve our environmental performance – and we act on it.”

Read the CFA Guide to Sustainability 2025–2026 for more sustainability advice.

www.veitchiflooring.com