Highways Bulletin: How Old Bollards Are Helping Us Build a Greener Future

Published on: 24 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 25 Aug, 2025

The information for this bulletin comes from Surrey County Council and is written by them.

Report potholes and highway issues here.

We’re always looking for new ways to reduce waste and make the most of the materials we use. Recently, we recycled around 240 road bollards, diverting the equivalent of 5–6 pallets of material from landfill.

Rather than being thrown away, these bollards are now being processed for reuse – cutting down the demand for new raw materials and giving old equipment a fresh purpose.

Through our partnership with Ecologi, we’ve planted one tree for every bollard recycled. That’s 240 new trees now growing around the world, helping to restore habitats, absorb carbon and support communities. Over their lifetimes, these trees are expected to absorb around a third of a ton of CO2e, making this initiative a win for both sustainability and climate action.

This is just one example of how small steps can add up to meaningful change. By thinking differently about the way we manage waste, we’re not only reducing environmental impact locally but also contributing to global climate goals.

It also ties directly into our commitment to become a net-zero authority by 2030. To achieve this, we’re working hard to cut emissions across our buildings, services and supply chains – and projects like this show how practical action today helps us build a better future for tomorrow.

Learn more about our journey to net-zero here: surreycc.gov.uk/climate-change/carbon-free

For details of roadworks in the Guildford area please click here.