Waste has a direct effect on our bottom line as well as the environment. Keeping our waste to a minimum is important for us and where waste is unavoidable, we look for ways of generating revenue from it. Responsible waste management is important for our productivity.

The quantity of waste we produce is heavily influenced by the level of construction and land remediation activities, which both vary year to year.

During 2007/08, we generated some 1.1 million tonnes (119 tonnes per £million of revenue*) of waste compared with some 1.2 million tonnes (142 tonnes per £million of revenue) for 2006/07.

Of the 1.1 million tonnes of waste generated in 2007/08, nearly 69% was recycled or reused compared with nearly 60% in 2006/07.

The change between years primarily reflects the sale of the four UK gas distribution networks in June 2005, increased use of no-dig technology by our retained gas distribution networks and increasing levels of  waste recycling by our UK land remediation business, National Grid Property.

*Excluding revenue attributable to KeySpan