We aim to lead the way (no pun intended) with sustainability. It’s vital to us, and our mission here at Team Midland Lead. All of our lead is 100% recyclable from trusted sources. We take great pride in producing an environmentally sustainable product which outlasts other man-made alternatives, and can be reused again and again.
In May 2024, Midland Lead was honoured with The King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development 2024 – and we are so proud. This acknowledgment emphasises our pursuit of excellence and reflects the dedication of the whole team at Midland Lead in driving sustainable manufacturing.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country. In 2024, only 29 businesses across the UK have been awarded with the Sustainable Development award.
We’re honoured to be recognised, and will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry, whilst prioritising our environmental stewardship.
569 solar panels installed, saving 210,000 kWh annually
LPG and diesel-fuelled trucks replaced with electric forklift trucks
LED lighting upgraded, saving 45,800 kWh per year
Reviewing our processes to make sure they’re as efficient and sustainable as possible
Team training on carbon literacy and energy reduction
We know there's always more we can do to reduce our carbon footprint, and we're collaborating with sustainability and manufacturing experts (including Toyota and TMUK) on our goals.
We work closely with Smart Manufacturing Data Hub to monitor data on our energy usage. We're also working with suppliers and local partners (Co-Treetment, Ecology) to offset our carbon footprint, and provide annual ESG reports including our scope 3 carbon footprint.
“Midland Lead has a clear vision to reduce their carbon footprint... Since installing the solar panels and replacing some of their forklift truck fleet with electric vehicles, the impact has been significant and is a pathway to making further reductions in using greener energy throughout the business..”
We know we’re part of an industry that has specific sustainability challenges, and we’re lobbying for change. Growing pressure on the construction industry to meet development targets is resulting in some concerning practices.
A recent article published in Builders Merchant News reveals the shocking excess plastic waste produced by the UK construction industry – 15 times higher than other European countries. Midland Lead calls for construction companies in the UK to assess the environmental profile of the products they use and consider greener choices.
Lead is one of the world’s most sustainable building materials—long-lasting, fully recyclable, and low in carbon impact. Here’s how it ticks all the right boxes for greener construction.
Lead is featured in the BRE Green Guide – which outlines the environmental impact of various building materials – as an A+ or A rated material
Our machine cast lead now also has a BRE Global Environmental Product Declaration
Lead’s carbon footprint is between 30 and 76kg CO2 per kg of material –significantly lower than even copper, zinc or stainless steel
Lead has a relatively low melting point of 327°C which means we don’t have to expend huge amounts of energy recycling it. In fact, our machine casting process has a significantly lower environmental impact than production processes for other metals or synthetic materials
Lead outlasts other man-made products. Even with little-to-no maintenance, you can expect lead sheeting to last decades.
Our machine cast lead has a 60-year guarantee, and rolled lead sheet has a 50 year guarantee
It’s as close to being a 100% recyclable material as you can get. Lead can be re-used – not just once, but over and over again, with no impact on its quality
Eco points describe the impact of a material on the building’s overall environmental performance. Lead generates between just 0.5 and 0.66 Eco points – meaning minimal environmental impact.
We’re working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on a nature recovery plan for our site — exploring how we can protect and restore local biodiversity right on our doorstep. From planting pollinator-friendly species to enhancing habitats, it’s all part of our wider commitment to sustainability, not just in the materials we use but in the land we use too.
“For the good of the environment, as well as your own back pocket, you want to design something that lasts and is good quality, whether traditional or contemporary in style… All the people I've previously worked with recommend Midland Lead's lead sheet.”
