Set project materials resource efficiency objectives

In the feasibility phase, the project team - and the client in particular - can set project objectives and requirements with respect to material resource efficiency. This page summarises the detailed information provided in Section 8 of the WRAP guidance "The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects".

Client organisations can state their material resource efficiency objectives in policy documents and within procurement documentation, such as project briefs and supply agreements.  

During the demolition phase opportunities for contributing towards sustainable development objectives include:

• ensuring recovery of at least 75% [or other specified amount] by mass of materials arising from demolition;
• considering the most significant opportunities to increase material recovery and implementing good practice when technically and commercially viable;
• using at least 10% [or other specified amount] by value of recycled and reclaimed materials in the new build; and
• considering the most significant opportunities to increase use of recycled and reclaimed materials in the new build.

Examples of good practice recovery include:

• on site recycling of concrete, masonry and excavation arisings into new build construction;
• reuse of existing elements such as foundations and drains;
• protection, reconditioning and reclamation of existing building structures, such as facades and building frame;
• recovery of building elements such as steel beams, light fittings and roof tiles into the new build or other construction projects;
• segregation on site of wood, plastic and glass to facilitate off site recycling.

For the new build phase, maximum contribution towards sustainable development objectives concerning diversion of waste from landfill and conservation of natural resources can be achieved by setting requirements such as:

• Achieving or exceeding target outcomes, such as: "Of the total value of products and materials selected for the construction project, at least 10% by value [or other specified threshold] must be derived from recycled and reclaimed materials". Further information can be found in the Recycled Content module and within the WRAP guidance document Setting a requirement for recycled content in building projects (1120 kb) ;
• identifying and adopting for use the top ten Quick Wins opportunities to increase the recycled and reclaimed content by value of the project. More information can be found within the Recycled Content module and the Construction Products Guide;
• setting a target for total recycled content above the "baseline practice" for the type of project. Browse the Case Studies to see how this has been applied in practice.

Site Waste Management Plans are now a requirement for projects above £300,000 in value and are a sustainable waste management practice for all phases of demolition and construction site activity. They are a tool to evaluate the potential for recycling and reclamation and to set requirements for diversion of materials from landfill. Further information, including templates and guidance, is available from Site Waste Management Plans.

Suggested wording of objectives for demolition and new build procurement processes are shown in the model wording page and in Section 8 of  "The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects" guidance.

Setting Key Performance Indicators (KPI) requirements within planning frameworks, tender specifications and contract clauses is instrumental to the achievement of high levels of resource efficiency. KPIs should be adopted within both the demolition and the new build phases to:

• set project requirements using common measures and procedures;
• provide standard measures to assess performance and
• encourage performance improvements.

The suggested KPIs will help in optimising:

• material recovery from demolition for reclamation and recycling, thus reducing the waste sent to landfill;
• on site re-use of materials, which also reduces the need for materials transport; and
• the use of recycled and reclaimed materials in the new build phase of the project, which also reduces the need for primary materials.

A minimum requirement for each KPI should be set, along with a requirement for the contractor to identify, illustrate and deliver the most significant opportunities for improvements on this minimum requirement.

Suggested wording for specifying KPIs is provided in the model wording page, as sourced from Section 5 of "The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects". Calculation templates for all KPIs are provided in Section 15 of the same guidance document.

Demolition Recovery Index KPI

The Demolition Recovery Index (DRI) is a KPI that describes the efficiency of material recovery from demolition (as defined by the Demolition Protocol, DP). It is calculated as the quantity of material recovered from the demolition process, divided by the total quantity of materials generated by demolition.

WRAP's recommended unit of measurement for materials in KPIs is tonnes, which is consistent with the DP. However, if clearly communicated to the parties involved, alternate units could be used, such as cubic metres (m³) or value (£). The advantages and disadvantages of these alternate units are discussed in Section 5.5 of "The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects" guide.

Retained Material KPI

The Retained Material (RM) KPI is a measure of the extent of reuse of demolition materials on site. RM is calculated as the quantity of recovered materials generated from the demolition phase that are used in the new build, divided by the total quantity of material recovered from demolition.

Recycled (and reclaimed) Content KPI

The Recycled (and reclaimed) Content (RC) KPI measures the proportion of recycled (and reclaimed) materials in the new build. It is calculated as the value of reclaimed and recycled materials used in the new build, divided by the total value of all materials used. It can include recycled and reclaimed materials generated on site, as well as manufactured products containing a certain percentage of recycled materials and reclaimed elements brought onto site. Value is used as the unit of measure for the RC KPI as it:

• encourages the use of recovered materials in higher value applications and, in turn, encourages higher value markets for recovered materials; and
• is a practical indicator, making best use of commonly available data on material quantities and costs.

WRAP has produced extensive guidance and tools to support the use of this KPI including The Net Waste Tool to aid project specification. WRAP’s guidance proposes a low requirement as a minimum threshold combined with the requirement to produce a list of the top 10 or so Quick Wins. This is referred to as the "Quick Wins approach" and it is more extensively described within the Recycled Content module.

The following table demonstrates the benefits of setting requirements earlier in the project.