Building a Sustainable Future
Friday 13th September 2024This week, our Season of Creation series continues as we explore the progress of our cathedral restoration project and our ambition to become the most sustainable cathedral in the country.
In 2021, Salford Cathedral announced it would be embarking on an extensive restoration project to repair the fabric of the building and restore the church to its former glory, whilst implementing a range of innovative technologies that would enable us to achieve our ambitious green goals.
Neil Moss, Project and Site Manager of Simpsons of York – the company contracted to carry out the cathedral restoration project, said: “From the very start of the project, the aim has been to try to be the first carbon neutral cathedral in the country and the way this entire project has been planned and developed has been with that goal in mind.”
Three years into the initiative and the project boasts an impressive 99.6% recycle rate, meaning almost nothing is being sent to landfill.
Neil explained: “Almost all the waste we have taken from the site is being recycled and reused in some way.
“Even the concrete from the floor and stonework that we’re unable to reuse on site is being taken away and crushed into hardcore for road surfaces, meaning it gets another life somewhere else.
“We’re also pleased to be recycling the timber from the West Porch, sending it to a joiner shop to be reused in another way, rather than just being scrapped.”
“The most green and efficient building you can get is one already built.”
From the magnificent stonework of the building, to its striking stained-glass windows, the team has been working hard to repair and restore the existing fabric of the building in order to reinstate the original aesthetic of the church and to reduce our waste and carbon emissions.
Credit Alex Wright
Neil said: “The most green and efficient building you can get is one already built – because it’s improving one that’s already there rather using all the materials and energy that goes into constructing something new.”
Even the unavoidable use of new materials has an impressive element of sustainability, with our temporary church being designed in a way that allows it to be dismantled and re-erected elsewhere, equipped with a screw pile system that minimises the impact on the land and tree roots beneath, and using natural hemp insulation in the floor.
Over at the cathedral itself, the team has been looking at a wide range of initiatives to achieve the highest level of sustainability, including improved lighting, heating, and insulation throughout the church.
Neil said: “Our new hydrothermal heating system is going to be from a ground source heat pump, taking water heated by the earth and running it through underfloor pipes in the cathedral. Instead of using our current system of gas boilers, we’ll be using heat from the ground, substantially improving our carbon footprint.”
A Mission of Responsibility
As the project continues, achieving our goal to become the most sustainable cathedral in the country remains a key focus, in line with our diocesan mission to be responsible stewards of the earth.
Dr Emma Gardner, Head of Environment for the Diocese of Salford, said: “Pope Francis is very clear in his teaching that no action is isolated – everything we do has an impact on the earth and each other, and so our care for our common home must underpin every action we take across the diocese.
“The need to make vital repairs to the damaged fabric of the cathedral presented us with a fantastic opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating an innovative future of progress and modernisation without leaving a legacy of waste or damage to the surrounding area, and we look to extend and promote this practice in parishes, schools, and communities across the diocese.”
Credit. Alex Wright
To find out more about the changes you can make to improve sustainability in your parish, school, or home, please continue reading for our Top Tips of the Week.
Sustainability Top Tips
Making changes to your property might seem like an overwhelming tasks to break your budget, but there are plenty of small, gradual steps you can take to improve your sustainability over time.
Our Laudato Si’ Centre team has pulled together some top tips to help you get started:
- Replace bulbs with LED alternatives as and when needed
- Ensure all lights and appliances are switched off when not in use
- Remember to check timers so heating is coming on and off at correct times
- Seek advice from our diocesan property team to improve insulation and explore renewable energy alternatives
- Work with our diocesan property team to ensure all building improvements are carried out in the most sustainable way
- Reduce water use by using water savers in toilets
- Look into collecting rain water from roofs
- Ask any suppliers or contractors you work with to use green materials and/or reduce packaging
- Allow for the recycling of all recyclable materials
- Set up a soft plastic collection point
- Remember where you can to reduce and reuse items and materials
- If you need new appliances remember to look for the energy ratings
- Before buying new items, ask yourself: do I really need this? How could I manage if I didn’t buy it? Do I already have something that would do?
Tagged | Pope Francis | Restoring the Glory | Salford Cathedral | Season of Creation
