BRIDGWATER CARNIVAL AND HINKLEY POINT C PARTNER UP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival have joined forces with the Hinkley Point C project in an innovative and unique sustainability partnership.
The new collaboration sees excess materials, no longer needed at the construction site being reused and recycled by Bridgwater carnival clubs for their spectacular 2024 entries.
Earlier this month the clubs gratefully took delivery of the first load from the partnership arrangement, consisting of high quality metal and wood. The materials were transported the 11 miles from the new nuclear site to Bridgwater by Hinkley Point C’s waste management company, Biffa.
David Cleaveley, Vice Chairman, Bridgwater Carnival Gangs and Features, said: “We are extremely thankful for the support we receive from the Hinkley Point C Project, and on behalf of the carnival clubs I would like to thank EDF and their contract partners for making this happen.
“Not only does this new partnership benefit the environment and supports our sustainability credentials, it also helps us to reduce the financial impact of buying ever increasing costly new materials for our entries.”
Hinkley Point C, currently under construction in Somerset, is the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK for more than 30 years. It will supply reliable, low-carbon electricity to power around 6 million homes for 60 years. The project is vital in the fight against climate change and is also making a positive difference to people and businesses from across the region. The benefits range from increasing local employment and creating a sustainable regional supply chain, to investing in new training facilities.
Andrew Cockcroft, Hinkley Point C’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Social Impact, added: “We are always looking at ways of reducing the environmental impact of the project, and minimising waste and contributing to a circular economy through recycling existing materials plays a big part in this.
“Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival is one of the largest community events in the area, and I am absolutely delighted we are able to bring some benefit and help the local carnival clubs in this way. This partnership makes perfect sense as it helps to minimise waste and also saves carnival clubs money at a time when budgets are really being stretched.
This month’s delivery of redundant materials to the carnival clubs is the first of a number being planned over the coming months.
