BREEAM Construction waste management

[edit] Aim and benefits

To promote resource efficiency via the effective management and reduction of construction waste.

[edit] When to consider

Pre demolition audit needs to be considered before demolition takes place.

Resource Management Plan (RMP)/ Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) needs to be considered before work on site starts

[edit] Step by step guidance

Pre demolition audit

Pre-demo audit should be produced by the company doing the demolition (could be main contractor or a demolition contractor). Make sure it lists any materials on the existing site, amounts and potential applications.

i.e. Timber doors-20 m3- recycle

OR

Concrete-100m3- crush and re-use on site.

Make sure the pre-demo audit is referenced in the RMP/SWMP

SWMP/RMP

Most contractors will have their own template. Make sure it contains all the information required for BREEAM.

A compliant RMP is one that defines:

1. A target benchmark for resource efficiency, i.e. m³ of waste per 100m² or tonnes of waste per 100m²
2. Procedures and commitments for minimising non-hazardous waste in line with the target benchmark
3. Procedures for minimising hazardous waste
4. A waste minimisation target and details of waste minimisation actions to be undertaken
5. Procedures for estimating, monitoring, measuring and reporting hazardous and non-hazardous site waste. If waste data is obtained from licensed external waste contractors, the data needs to be reliable and verifiable, e.g. by using data from EA/SEPA/EA Wales/NIEA Waste Return Forms
6. Procedures for sorting, reusing and recycling construction waste into defined waste groups (see additional guidance section), either on-site or through a licensed external contractor
7. Procedures for reviewing and updating the plan
8. The name or job title of the individual responsible for implementing the above.

When setting targets ask the contractor to look back at previous projects final waste figures to give a sensible estimate for the next project. It’s easy to set a tight target and get credits at design stage, but if the target isn’t met credits may be lost at Post Construction stage.

At PC stage get final waste figures from waste carrier/s and contractor. Calculate total waste per 100 sq m GIFA. This should exclude excavation waste.

Get final figures from waste carrier/s, contractor and demo contractor for diverting waste from landfill.

Report all figures on the BREEAM scoring and reporting tool.

[edit] Questions to ask while seeking compliance

Is site team aware that RMP is required and must be updated throughout construction?

Is demo contractor aware that pre-demo audit must be carried out before demolition?

Is demo contractor aware that diversion from landfill rates will be needed after demolition has taken place?

[edit] Tools and resources

Example pre-demolition audits and SWMP/RMP can be found on the internet by googling them. Also see here for a bare bones template compliant with BREEAM 2014.

Follow guidance from:

• Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/waste-and-recycling
• BRE (Building Research Establishment Ltd) https://www.bre.co.uk/Waste_and_recycling.html
• WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) http://www.wrap.org.uk/
• Welsh Government. http://gov.wales/?lang=en

[edit] Tips and best practice

Most contractors will have other useful documents that may be used to supplement SWMPs where they don’t contain all the information needed. e.g. Project Environmental Plan. Reference this and submit as evidence.

[edit] Typical evidence

SWMP/RMP

Pre-demolition audit

Final waste figures

KPIs

Waste carrier records

Project Environmental Plan

[edit] Applicable Schemes

The guidelines collated in this ISD aim to support sustainable best practice in the topic described. This issue may apply in multiple BREEAM schemes covering different stages in the life of a building, different building types and different year versions. Some content may be generic but scheme nuances should also be taken into account. Refer to the comments below and related articles to this one to understand these nuances. See this document for further guidelines.

• List applicable schemes here

BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not guarantee the meeting of certification criteria.

--Alison Ewins 11:36, 23 Feb 2018 (BST)