A landmark makeover of Glasgow’s iconic Marriott Hotel has not only refreshed its 1970s interiors but also set a shining example for sustainable construction — with a staggering 98.87% of waste recycled or recovered.
The high-profile refurbishment was led by AKP Scotland, the construction and fit-out specialist, who teamed up with The NWH Group, one of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management companies, to keep the project green, clean, and on schedule.
High standards meet tight deadlines
This was no easy job. The Marriott’s transformation involved stripping out decades of dated décor and hauling away tonnes of construction debris, mixed materials, and old furnishings — all from a busy city-centre site with limited access.
To make it work, NWH Group designed a bespoke waste strategy for AKP Scotland, blending daily skip and hook exchanges, wait-and-load services, and real-time scheduling. The result? A site that stayed tidy, efficient, and bang on schedule.
“This was a demanding city-centre site with limited space, tight deadlines and high sustainability expectations,” said Connor Goldie, Project Manager at AKP Scotland. “NWH Group’s collaborative approach and commitment to efficiency helped us maintain momentum while significantly reducing waste sent to landfill.”
Key results at a glance
- 98.87% of total waste recycled or recovered
- Daily collections to keep operations clean and smooth
- Real-time scheduling to adapt to evolving site demands
- Wait & Load services for maximum flexibility during peak demolition
- On-site segregation to boost recycling rates and cut costs
- Just 1.13% of residual waste converted to energy, supporting local waste-to-energy schemes
A win for Scotland’s circular economy
NWH Group’s approach went far beyond waste removal. Materials were meticulously segregated — metals, plastics, glass, and more — before being sent to the right recycling facilities. Any leftovers unsuitable for recycling were channelled into waste-to-energy plants, further cutting reliance on landfill.
“This project is a great example of how smart waste management can deliver both environmental and commercial benefits,” said Kelly Lock, Commercial Sales Lead at The NWH Group. “By working closely with AKP Scotland from the outset, we implemented best-practice recycling processes and ensured maximum diversion from landfill. The Marriott refit shows that sustainability and efficiency can absolutely go hand in hand.”
With construction and hospitality under mounting pressure to shrink their carbon footprints, the NWH Group & AKP Scotland partnership has delivered a benchmark project — proving that with the right waste strategy, you can modernise a building and protect the planet at the same time.
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