BIA 2024: ESG: Sustainability Initiative of the Year - Crawford & Company

Effectively managing soil is essential in the fight against climate change, an issue on which Crawford is passionate and committed.

Which is why the firm was proud to win Sustainability Initiative of the Year at the 2024 British Insurance Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Every year globally, vast quantities of soil is unnecessarily excavated and contaminated soil is dumped into landfill sites.

Studies show that more than £2 billion is spent annually on soil waste disposal by the construction and engineering sectors in the UK alone, much of which is sent to landfill.

Realising this, Crawford aimed to minimise landfill disposal practices in the insurance sector.

In its ‘zero to landfill’ project, Crawford aimed to:

• Reduce excavated soil volumes on escape of kerosene oil claims (minimum of 30%)
• Divert 100% of soil waste from landfill (excluding Northern Ireland)
• Reduce total claim lifecycles (targeting 25% reduction)
• Reduce waste disposal costs by around 30%

Working closely with the firm’s in-house environmental consultancy, Crawford used the latest technological tools to assess pollution levels in soils and minimise soil excavations.

Its success has meant that since 2022 excavated volumes have reduced by 41.7% and all soil waste is diverted from landfill.

Claim lifecycles have been cut by a third and disposal costs reduced by 48%.

The success of the ‘zero to landfill’ policy means it will now be used across the whole Crawford business. The policy was expanded to include other waste materials such as wood, demolition, metal and liquid wastes, such as fire water run-off.

To benefit local communities, Crawford ensured waste was re-used or re-purposed.

The firm’s sustainable approach won plaudits across brokers, customers and judges.

One broker claims handler said: “I wanted to express how we and the client have been impressed with how this claim has been handled and we wanted to note how great experts from Crawford Environmental Consultancy were with our client.

“I often have a struggle attempting to progress a claim and often ‘procedures and processes’ have to take place which bring no value other than prolonging the life span of the claim and ticking a box.”

One customer from Devon offered heartfelt thanks to the firms, noting the “extremely efficient and helpful way this has been dealt with by you and your colleagues.”

Another from Wiltshire said: “The service you have all provided has been outstanding and has been appreciated. Please pass on thanks to everyone who had a hand in the process and getting me back home.”

Crawford presented its entry to judges who were equally impressed.

One judge said: “A simple objective very well developed and delivered. Cleverly made relevant to many, varied parts of the business. Some decent proof of success.”

Another said: “Clear ‘zero to landfill’ strategy and goals. Actions have exceeded targets. Strong entry.”

 

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