A remarkable new kind of roof insulation made from recycled farm and food waste will be keeping people extra cosy in sheltered housing in Hanwell this winter.

There are 26 tenants living at Benjamin Court, who are all aged 60 and over. The building is owned by Ealing Council. 

The new ‘ECO FF’ insultation, made by construction materials provider Bauder and installed by council contractors Greyline, is made of 80% recycled organic raw material from farm and food waste. Yet it is every bit as effective as traditional insulation at keeping buildings warm.

Capital investment

It has been carried out as part of the council’s 5-year, £42million programme to improve its housing. The work includes significant upgrades to roofs, bathrooms, and kitchens in council homes across the borough.

The new insulation is more environmentally friendly than traditional insulation, while also helping to prevent loss of warmth from homes during the winter – keeping them cosier and less need for high energy bills. The council has made significant progress in reducing harmful emissions in the borough since it launched its ambitious climate action strategy in 2021.

‘Innovative new insulation’

Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, said “It was great to head down to Benjamin Court and see some of the important work being done to improve our residents’ homes. Our investment in this innovative new insulation will help ensure that our tenants have warm, more energy efficient homes this winter.

“Tackling the climate crisis continues to be a top priority for the council. This work will lower energy consumption at Benjamin Court, reducing the need to burn fossil fuels to heat the building and thereby cutting carbon emissions. It will help us reach our ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.”