Waste Management
The construction industry produces around 120 million tonnes of construction, demolition and excavation waste per year with only half of this currently being recycled or reclaimed.
Through effective and efficient waste management on site a range of benefits can be achieved including:
- reduced material and disposal costs;
- increased competitive differentiation and performance against CSR objectives;
- lower CO2 emissions; and
- responding to and pre-empting public policy.
Waste management involves taking action to reduce the volume of construction waste being sent to landfill. Through the identification of potential waste streams, setting targets for the recovery of materials and the process to ensure that these targets are met a range of benefits can be achieved.
Construction clients and developers are increasingly looking to set targets and requirements for waste management and to move the industry from standard through to good and best practice in waste management.
There are a range of tools and guidance available to help the industry meet changing policy and requirements:
Waste management guidance has been developed to assist the industry to better manage site waste and identify opportunities to improve practices.
In order to assist clients in driving forward a change in waste management, Achieving good practice Waste Minimisation and Management guidance has been developed. This guidance is complementary to Construction Procurement guidance.
There are also a range of guidance available to help contractors to implement improved practice.
Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) provide an important framework to ensure improved waste management practices
The Code for Sustainable Homes aims to create a step change in sustainable social housing.
Waste Recovery Quick Wins offer valuable opportunities to reduce operating costs and improve environmental performance on site.
