Pioneering project wins Redbridge prestigious international Green Apple Environment Award

Redbridge recently won a top environmental award for a trailblazing initiative to make road resurfacing greener in the borough.

The highly respected Green Apple Award was won after Redbridge became the first in London to trial a unique, new asphalt mix that can significantly reduce the carbon footprint in road resurfacing works.

The partnership project was led by the Council’s Highways Team, in collaboration with Kenson Highways, Low Carbon Materials who designed and manufactured the product used in the asphalt mix, and Tarmac who supplied the asphalt mix.

During the trial the revolutionary asphalt mix was used for road resurfacing works at Lodge Hill, in Ilford, earlier this year.

The results showed the new asphalt mix had reduced the carbon footprint from the road resurfacing works at Lodge Hill by 68%, which is equivalent to an average UK car driving 17,400 miles, or a round trip to Los Angeles for two people.

Following its success, the project was selected as the winner from more than 1,200 nominations worldwide for the Green Apple Environment Award –a much coveted accolade in recognition of organisations committed to sustainability and innovative environmental practices.

The awards ceremony was held at Kensington Palace where the award was received by Redbridge’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Jo Blackman who was joined by Redbridge’s Highways Team and Kensons Highways.   

Speaking about the win, Cllr Blackman said: “Redbridge is always striving to find innovative ways to reduce emissions, and this award is testament to that. We’re proud to be the first in London to deliver this pioneering new trial in conjunction with our project partners. We’re not only committed to improving the quality of our roads but also reducing the emissions associated with the resurfacing process to create a cleaner and greener borough.”

David Shelly, Director of Kensons Highways said: “Thank you to the London Borough of Redbridge for your proactive efforts in reducing carbon emissions within the area. Redbridge’s dedication to prioritising low-carbon solutions and using sustainable materials is creating a path toward a greener future that benefits both the environment and the local community.

“The Green Apple Award is a symbol of innovation and excellence, recognising initiatives that inspire positive change. The success of the trial resurfacing scheme not only demonstrates our commitment to enhancing infrastructure but also lays the foundation for long-term benefits to the borough.

“This initiative paves the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly borough, driving long-term environmental and economic growth for the community.”

 Dhiresh Bhatt, Head of Highways and Transportation at Redbridge Council added: “I’m incredibly proud of the success we've achieved through innovation and collaboration in this pioneering project. By working closely with Kenson Highways and our supply chain partners, we’ve been able to significantly reduce our carbon footprint while maintaining the high standards of our road resurfacing programme.

“This project is a testament to the power of partnerships and the tangible environmental benefits they can deliver. A big thank you to everyone involved for making this possible and setting a new standard for sustainable infrastructure in Redbridge.”

Redbridge trial - Project background: During the trial of the road resurfacing project the asphalt mix, supplied by Tarmac, significantly lowered the carbon footprint from the road resurfacing process by incorporating a carbon negative product into the mix, called ACLA^®.

Results showed that using ACLA®, Tarmac’s asphalt had reduced the project’s carbon footprint by 68%, which is equivalent to an average UK car driving 17,400 miles, or a round trip to Los Angeles for two people.

ACLA® was designed and manufactured by Earthshot Prize finalist climate tech company Low Carbon Materials (LCM). It works by capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to permanently remove it and lock it into the resurfaced road.

The trial using ACLA is in addition to the Council using eco-friendlier asphalt known as warm mix asphalt, which is used as standard resurfacing material in the borough’s road maintenance programmes to help reduce carbon emissions.

Typically, there are three layers of asphalt applied when resurfacing roads. For the trial ACLA^® was used in the middle layer, ensuring the entire middle layer of the road was net zero, as well as significantly lowering the project's carbon footprint overall.

Speaking about the trial Natasha Boulding, CEO of Low Carbon Materials, said: “I’m proud to have collaborated with pioneers Redbridge Council, Kensons Highways and Tarmac on this first-of-its-kind scheme in London to see ACLA ® used to unlock net zero asphalt. This project offers a blueprint for best-practice and a clear roadmap for dramatically reducing the environmental impact of road construction and maintenance.”

Tim Smith, Senior Technical Manager (South East) at Tarmac added: “There has never been a more important time to explore innovative, carbon-saving solutions and materials. By collaborating with supply chain and industry partners on this project we have demonstrated what's possible in delivering greener roads. It’s crucial that the learnings from this project help to inform further decarbonisation of the road network.”

The Green Organisation:
Founded in 1994, The Green Organisation is an independent, non-political, non-profit group dedicated to promoting environmental best practices worldwide. Its flagship initiative, the Green Apple Awards, has grown into an internationally recognised platform for environmental innovation and excellence.

For more information about the Green Apple Awards, visit https://www.thegreenorganisation.info/

(ENDS)