Materials

The building industry is a significant user of chemicals and products which are considered “worst in class” for their impact on human and environmental health.

During the design process for Camp Glenorchy, we are being thoughtful about the health of not only our guests and staff but also the people involved in the building process and the community who live close to the site.

Our aim is to provide a safe and healthy environment by avoiding toxic substances and using natural building materials wherever possible. In addition, we will use salvaged and recycled materials, minimising waste during construction and operation.

Timber lifecycle

Timber will be one of the key materials in the construction of Camp Glenorchy. It will be used for framing, cladding and furniture. Aware of the potential impact this could have on the environment, we are recording the source of all our timber sources and committed to using salvaged timber wherever possible.

We will be recycling timber from existing buildings both on site and off. For example, an abandoned woolshed that was slated for demolition on private property close to the site has been carefully dismantled and will provide us with the opportunity of tracing the past, present and future of this beautiful material.

Construction waste

An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is being followed during construction to limit health risks to workers and avoid potential pollution of surrounding areas. A waste management plan as well as a documented recycling and composting programme form part of the EMP, helping us proactively minimise waste during both construction and operation.

Specific initiatives within the EMP will include:

• Assessment and management of the impacts of the site on air, noise, water and soil pollution, especially in regard to the local school and nearby residential area.
• Consideration of opportunities for off-site prefabrication of the building frameworks/panels to minimise noise and air pollution during construction.
• On-site separation of waste streams during construction to facilitate recycling of as many materials as possible, and measurement by type of quantities of waste diverted from landfills through recycling and reuse.

Declare products and certified materials

We will source environmentally responsible building materials wherever possible, including timber sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified mills and forests. In parallel, we will seek to use products certified under the Living Future Institute’s Declare program wherever feasible and available.  The Declare program advocates with manufacturers for transparency in manufacturing processes and the avoidance of potentially hazardous chemicals and has designed an on-label reporting format to make seeing and understanding the chemical composition of building products easier for consumers. 

Internal room finishes will be sourced from suppliers who offer products that are sustainably sourced and who have a published environmental policy to which they are committed. Bedding and cleaning products will be chosen with the same criteria in mind.

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