BREEAM Construction waste management

Contents 1 Aim and benefits 2 When to consider 3 Step-by-step guidance 3.1 Pre demolition audit 3.2 SWMP/RMP 4 Questions to ask while seeking compliance 5 Tools and resources 6 Tips and best practice 7 Typical evidence 8 Applicable schemes 9 Find out more 9.1 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

[edit] Aim and benefits

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

[edit] When to consider

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

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

[edit] Step-by-step guidance

[edit] Pre demolition audit

A pre-demolition audit should be produced by the company doing the demolition (this could be the 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-demolition audit is referenced in the RMP/SWMP

[edit] 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 is easy to set a tight target and get credits at the design stage, but if the target is not met, credits may be lost at Post Construction stage.

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

Get final figures from the waste carrier(s) and the main contractor and demolition 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 an RMP is required and must be updated throughout construction?
• Is the demolition contractor aware that a pre-demolition audit must be carried out before demolition?
• Is the demolition 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, such as a 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 issue support document 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.

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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)

[edit] Find out more

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BREEAM.
• BREEAM Operational waste.
• BRE SMARTwaste.
• Demolition.
• Circular economy.
• Definition of waste: Code of practice.
• Environmental plan.
• Landfill tax.
• Materials Management Plan (MMP).
• Recyclable construction materials.
• Recycling.
• Site Waste Management Plan.
• Waste management plan for England.