Choosing the right water storage tank has a direct impact on the environment. The materials it is made from, how long it lasts, and whether it can be recycled at the end of life all matter. Franklin Hodge designs and manufactures sustainable water storage tanks built from recyclable galvanised steel, engineered to protect the environment through proper containment and responsible construction. With over 50 years of experience, we build tanks that serve your project and the planet.
What Makes a Water Storage Tank Sustainable?
Not every water tank is built with sustainability in mind. A truly sustainable storage tank needs to tick several boxes, from the raw materials used in production right through to what happens when the tank reaches the end of its working life.
Here is what sets a sustainable water tank apart:
- Recyclable materials: Our tanks are manufactured from a high-grade galvanised steel and aluminium, both of which are fully recyclable without losing quality or strength.
- Long operational lifespan: A well-built steel tank can last 30 years or more with minimal maintenance. That means fewer replacements, less waste, and lower demand for raw materials over time.
- Responsible manufacturing: Franklin Hodge designs sustainability into every stage, from material selection and fabrication through to on-site assembly and end-of-life recycling.
- Eco-friendly materials: Our butyl rubber and EPDM products are manufactured using processes free from harmful chemicals. This protects the quality of stored water whilst reducing environmental impact at the point of production.
- Modular design: Our sectional water tanks are assembled on site from individual panels. This reduces transport emissions and allows tanks to be adapted, extended, or relocated rather than scrapped.
Sustainability is not just about one feature. It is built into the entire lifecycle of the product.
How Do Storage Tanks Protect the Environment from Contamination?
Poorly designed or ageing tanks pose a real risk to the surrounding environment. Leaks and spills can contaminate soil, pollute groundwater, and damage local ecosystems. This is especially critical when storing waste, effluent, or chemically treated water.
Franklin Hodge tanks are engineered to prevent this. Our waste and effluent storage tanks use mastic sealant technology to provide a waterproof seal between the tank plates, creating a watertight barrier between the stored liquid and the external environment. This means no seepage, no ground contamination, and no risk to nearby watercourses.
Key environmental protection features include:
- Sealed mastic joints that prevent leaks even under pressure and temperature changes.
- Corrosion-resistant glass-coated steel plates that maintain structural integrity over decades.
- Robust construction that withstands harsh industrial and agricultural conditions without degrading.
Proper containment is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect the environment. A tank that does not leak is a tank that does not pollute.
Why Does Choosing Recyclable Steel Matter for Your Water Storage Tank?
Steel is the world’s most recycled material. It can be melted down and repurposed again and again without losing its structural properties. That makes it a natural fit for any project with environmental goals.
Compare that with plastic tanks, which degrade over time, cannot be recycled to the same quality, and often end up in landfill. A galvanised steel tank from Franklin Hodge offers a genuinely circular solution.
Here is why recyclable steel matters for your project:
- 30+ year lifespan reduces the need for replacements and the waste that comes with them.
- 100% recyclable at the end of life, turning your old tank into raw material for new products rather than landfills.
- Lower lifetime carbon footprint compared to materials that need replacing every 10 to 15 years.
- Galvanised coating bonds metallurgically to the steel, providing long-term corrosion protection without the need for recoating.
If your organisation is working towards net-zero targets or circular economy goals, specifying steel tanks is a practical step in the right direction.
How Does Franklin Hodge Support Sustainable Water Management?
Sustainability is not a bolt-on for Franklin Hodge. It is part of how we have operated for over five decades. Our approach to design and innovation prioritises long-term environmental performance alongside operational reliability.
We support sustainable water management in several ways:
- Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
- Tank refurbishment services that extend the working life of existing installations, reducing the need for full replacements and the associated environmental cost. Learn more about our tank refurbishment services.
- Custom solutions designed to fit your site precisely, minimising material waste during manufacturing and construction.
- Durable products that require minimal maintenance, reducing the ongoing environmental footprint of your water storage infrastructure.
Our tanks help organisations reduce their environmental impact whilst meeting compliance requirements for water storage, fire protection, and waste containment.
Can Sustainable Water Tanks Help Your Organisation Meet Environmental Goals?
Yes, and it is more straightforward than you might think.
Many businesses, local authorities, and industrial operators face increasing pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility in their procurement decisions. Specifying sustainable storage tanks is a tangible way to support your organisation’s sustainability strategy.
Franklin Hodge tanks contribute to your environmental goals through:
- Pollution prevention: Sealed, robust construction keeps stored liquids contained and prevents contamination of surrounding land and water.
- Water conservation: Reliable drinking water tanks and fire protection tanks reduce water loss through evaporation and leakage.
- Circular economy principles: Fully recyclable steel construction means nothing goes to waste at end of life.
- Long-lasting infrastructure: Fewer replacements mean fewer deliveries, less manufacturing, and a smaller carbon footprint over the lifetime of your project.
For procurement teams weighing up environmental criteria, a Franklin Hodge tank is not just a storage solution. It is a long-term investment in both performance and environmental responsibility.
Ready to Choose Storage Tanks That Protect Your Project and the Planet?
Quality and environmental protection work together. When you choose a Franklin Hodge sustainable storage tank, you get a product built to last, made from recyclable materials, and designed to keep the environment safe from contamination.
Whether you need water storage tanks for fire protection, drinking water, or waste containment, our team can help you find the right solution for your project and your sustainability goals.
Get in touch with Franklin Hodge to discuss your requirements, or request a quote to get started.
