Waste minimisation and management

Large amounts of information about construction waste can be accessed via WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) – a government-backed organisation (funded by governments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Since its inception in 2000, WRAP has provided guidance and tools and case studies relating to waste minimisation, resource efficiency and site waste management.

There are many methods of reducing waste on construction sites. Some may be implemented at the design and planning stage, others during the actual construction stage and beyond. It is, however, preferable to consider methods of reduction as early into the development process as possible.

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) can be used as a tool to ensure waste reduction is considered at a planning stage and reviewed during construction phase; the effectiveness of (and compliance with) the SWMP should be reviewed following completion of the project.

Waste minimisation at design stage

To achieve a good standard of waste management, designers are encouraged to adopt a 'cradle to cradle' approach to building design, whereby the whole life cycle of the project is considered, from inception through to completion and beyond. This will mean using products that not only perform well, but can be re-used once removed.

WRAP suggest some key considerations for the design stage of construction and demolition projects:

• Building form – design building size and space to eliminate unnecessary elements, reduce cut-offs resulting from the construction process, and ensure compatibility between market supply and specification.
• Design flexibility – ensure flexibility in design for future building expansion, adaptation and dismantling.
• Design complexity – reduce the complexity of the design to standardise the construction process and reduce the quantity of materials required.
• Specifications – avoid over specification and minimise variation in components and joints; evaluate the re-use and recycling opportunities for the specified materials before specification.

(Source: Achieving good practice waste Minimisation and management, WRAP.)

Waste minimisation during construction phase

The construction phase is, of course, where management theory must be put into practice. A site waste champion should be appointed to oversee the management of waste and its minimisation on site. The champion will be key in promoting good and best practices, dealing with waste on site and will have a direct influence on its destination. The champion must be a keen advocate of the waste management and minimisation principles.

Each site will have its own constraints and methods of management, necessitating that minimisation be tailored to suit these. Some suggested waste management practices that may be employed during the construction phase as a means of controlling and minimising waste are:

• Site induction – ensure that all site operatives are aware of their responsibilities, particularly the segregation of particular waste streams and location of waste areas.
• Site set-up – optimise areas for segregation and storage of waste streams prior to their re-use or removal from site and ensure that these can be relocated if required.
• Storage – ensure that there are adequate storage areas on site for new materials, to avoid accidental damage or theft. Materials left in the open for any length of time will more than likely get spoiled.
• Materials procurement – ensure that materials are ordered and delivered to site as and when needed to avoid oversupply and wastage. Explore possibilities of off-site manufacture and delivery of materials pre-cut to site measurements.
• Packaging – request that materials are delivered without packaging or that packaging is taken from site and recycled by the supplier.
• Materials disposal – investigate 'take-back' schemes or local material exchange facilities (e.g. timber, plasterboard).

(Source: Achieving good practice waste minimisation and management, WRAP.)