The novel project, which reused surplus construction products to provide a habitat for wildlife including honey bees, picked up a bronze award for environmental best practice at the Green Organisation's Green Apple Awards at a ceremony held this month at the Houses of Parliament.

The creation of the eco garden is a scheme that fits with Murphy's ongoing sustainability goals. Not only is the scheme promoting biodiversity but it is also maximising the way waste products are used.

The attractively landscaped area in a disused part of the depot features flowerbeds made from old concrete pipe sections, a bird box made from waste timber and a bench crafted from a tree trunk from tree clearance work. Other surplus products used include left-over shingle for the path, as well as paint and topsoil.

The bees for the eco garden colony were given a new home in White Waltham, having moved from their long-established hive at Murphy's head office in Kentish Town, London.

Murphy's environmental manager, Barry Ryan, who led the project, said: "The idea to create the garden expanded on our continuing work to support the UK's declining bee population. The project was the result of a lot of effort from volunteers on the site and we are delighted to receive this award."

A six-strong volunteer team from the depot took around three months to complete the garden, including building and painting fencing to protect the area using wooden pallets.

Murphy & Sons Limited is a global engineering and construction company with a turnover of £780m, providing construction services to sectors including rail, water, power, and natural resources. It employs more than 4,000 engineers, managers and operatives.

Murphy's specialist capabilities include pipelines, process, marine, tunnelling and piling. It operates in United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, USA, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

LINKS
Murphy
The Green Organisation - Green Apple Awards