Crushed glass used to bed in new water pipes

The glass is used to bed pipes on the Isles of Scilly

Crushed and recycled glass is being used to bed in new water pipes on the Isles of Scilly, South West Water (SWW) has said.

Glass already on the Isles of Scilly has been crushed and smoothed to surround more than 2,625ft (800m) of new pipe work.

Richard Price, SWW's chief engineering director, said by "reutilising this glass from the isles, we have saved it from needing to be transported around for recycle-processing and dramatically reduced our need to get resources sent over from the mainland".

Pipe bedding secures the pipe in the ground so even pressure is applied to the pipe, which helps to protect it against leaks.

Mr Price added: "We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways of working across our entire region and having this beautiful natural environment surrounding us pushes us to leave places better than we found them, with minimal impact.”

Glanville Environmental’s engineering manager, Geoff Willcocks, discovered the ability to use recycled glass in this way.

He said: “This has significantly reduced South West Water’s environmental footprint, and showcases both companies’ commitment to working more sustainably.”