The call on primary aggregates is greatly reduced nowadays by the use of recycled and secondary materials. With some 65 million tonnes of such material in annual use, Britain is top of the European league for recycled and secondary aggregates - 24 per cent of demand is now met from such sources.

The call on land-based primary aggregates is also complemented by the dredging of aggregates from the seabed around our shores, notably in the English Channel, Bristol Channel and North Sea.

Production of aggregates depends on the use of other valuable resources - notably water and energy. Water is often recycled through the plant and returned after settling and filtration. Like any modern industry, we strive to minimise energy consumption. Particular effort is made to find uses for all quarry materials and to maximise resource efficiency.

The following chapter describe our work under the pillar of social progress:

• Resource conservation