Waste management savings

Each year the construction industry produces about 1.45 tonnes of waste for every person living in the UK. This statistic makes grim reading, particularly in an era when 'pay as you throw' taxation looks increasingly likely.

To help tackle the issue, the government is currently considering proposals that would require all contractors in England working on projects with a value in excess of £250,000 to have a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) as a legal requirement, possibly as early as April 2008.

Accurate measurement

SWMPs will provide a structure for waste delivery and disposal at all stages during a construction project. Typically an SWMP will identify the generation and management of waste, detail how it will be recycled and disposed of and how contractors must ensure quantities of waste are accurately measured.

Under the proposals currently being considered by government, contractors unable to provide evidence of an SWMP could be liable to a fine of up to £5,000 with enforcement carried out by both local councils and the Environment Agency.

While there will inevitably be some who will view the proposed new legislation as further bureaucracy to contend with, NetRegs - the partnership between UK environmental regulators the Environment Agency in England and Wales, SEPA in Scotland and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland, which provides free environmental guidance for small and medium-sized businesses - believes that not only will the introduction of SWMPs reduce site costs, but that it will also give a boost to the environmental reputation of businesses implementing them.

"The building trade is responsible for around 72 million tonnes of waste annually - that's quite a large proportion of the 400 million tonnes produced nationally," says NetRegs programme manager Richard Martin. "SWMPs will not only help to reduce this volume but will do so by providing concrete proof of waste reduction, undoubtedly furthering the good work that is already being done within the industry."

Martin believes the environmental benefits of the legislation are clear. "SWMPs will play a part in reducing the industry's impact on the environment, reducing fly tipping and encouraging the use of recycled materials," he adds.

There will also be other benefits. According to recent figures from construction research and information organisation CIRIA, an average of 13% of all materials delivered to UK building sites go into the skip without ever being used. SWMPs will save businesses money by encouraging contractors to manage material supply more efficiently. What's more, by providing a means for queries from environmental regulators or the local council to be answered simply and easily, they will save contractors time.

Avoiding prosecution

"As well as undoubtedly making everyone on site more waste management-savvy, and in doing so cutting costs at every level, SWMPs will also help businesses avoid prosecution by making sure all waste ends up in the right place," suggests Martin.

"Longer term, SWMPs will provide builders with an accurate record of how effectively materials have been managed on site, providing them with invaluable information on staff competence and accurately defining project costs for the future."

Implementation of SWMPs will fall into a number of areas. First, contractors will be required to assign responsibility for the SWMP, making a named person responsible for updating the plan throughout the duration of the project.

A successful SWMP will require careful planning and preparation. Contractors will have to work out exactly what will be required to put the SWMP in place before projects begin. If, as anticipated, SWMPs become law in England, they will also reduce over-ordering, which will result in a reduction of site waste. Using recycled or previously used materials will be another way of keeping costs down.

Based on Department of Trade and Industry statistics, at least 20% of materials on site can be saved. SWMPs will encourage businesses to identify materials which will be recycled or re-used. Waste management will extend to suppliers too. For example, contractors can return surplus materials along with unwanted packaging direct to the supply source rather than disposing of it on site. Those using specialist subcontractors for waste disposal will need to ensure they are environmentally responsible and compliant with SWMP guidelines.

Communication will be key to the success of any SWMP, with everyone from subcontractors to senior management required to be aware of its importance. This will extend to making practical changes on site, segregating waste materials and clearly labelling containers and skips.

More information on Site Waste Management Plans and their implementation is available from www.netregs.gov.uk