BREEAM Recycled aggregates
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[edit] Aim and benefits
The aim of this credit is to recognise and encourage the use of recycled and secondary aggregates, thereby reducing the demand for virgin material and optimising material efficiency in construction.
The aim of the credit in pre-2018 schemes, however, is NOT to reduce embodied carbon/life cycle impacts.
[edit] When to consider
This first needs considering during your pre-assessment (typically during Concept Design), and needs working into specifications during detailed and technical design. A careful eye is required during procurement, as this is a common VE item for contractors to offer.
[edit] Step by step guidance
The below guidance is meant to represent best practice in BREEAM, and in reality includes the job of a BREEAM AP. Please note, it's relatively unrealistic to expect that you can monitor every step in the below process - do your best.
[edit] Concept Design
During pre-assessment and in post pre-assessment guidance, let structural and civil engineers clearly know you're targeting the credit. Ideally it should be mentioned in their stage 2 report, but that will unlikely provide the level of detail needed for BREEAM evidence.
Try to make sure at this point the engineers understand the calculation. Provide further supporting documents as required.
If this is a D&B project, make sure your pre-assessment and report clearly show that this credit is targeted, and if it is, who is responsible for achieving it. If appropriate, prepare a document for inclusion in the Employer's Requirements outlining the responsibilities of the contractor.
[edit] Detailed Design
Make sure that outline specifications include a requirement to use recycled aggregates as per the BREEAM criteria. Ask engineers for a copy of calculations/specifications (probably towards the end of this stage really) of how compliance is being met.
[edit] Technical Design
Make sure that any more detailed specialist sub contractor specifications include requirements.
If this is a D&B project, make sure commercial teams are aware of which packages this requirement is needed for. If possible, include the requirement in a sustainability prelims document to be included in sub contractor tenders.
If you're lucky enough to have package managers, make sure the relevant package managers are clear of the requirement for their package. If not, make sure the design manager knows these requirements.
Keep an eye on technical submissions from sub contractors to make sure recycled aggregates have been specified, where possible.
[edit] Construction
Request delivery notes for aggregates on site. Request details of concrete mixes where necessary alongside delivery notes.
You can take photos of concrete during construction site inspections, however, in reality all it will show is that concrete has been installed and not that there is any recycled content (although recycled aggregates can look different, dependent on source, it's not robust.)
Ask contractor's structural/civil engineers for final quantities as delivered of virgin/recycled aggregates used to confirm that compliance has been met on site. If you had very thorough design stage evidence, you may just be able to ask for confirmation that aggregates were installed as per the design stage specification, plus some delivery notes to make sure the wool isn't being pulled over your eyes.
[edit] In Use
There are no requirements relating to BREEAM In Use and recycled aggregates.
[edit] Questions to ask while seeking compliance
Please make sure you're on the same page as your team and looking at the recycled aggregate content of your concrete, rather than looking at the percentage of cement replacement used.
[edit] Tools and resources
BREEAM 2014 Issue 5.0 Criteria - WST 02
Recycled Aggregates Calculator
BRE Knowledge Base related articles
[edit] Tips and best practice
The calculation for WST 2 (2014) is not complicated, however it's surprisingly difficult to explain. Sometimes if communicating the calculation to engineers isn't going so well, sending over a calculator for them to play with makes it easier. See "Tools and Resources" for an example.
[edit] Typical evidence
Awaiting content
[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.
- UK New Construction 2014
BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not guarantee the meeting of certification criteria.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Aggregates levy.
- Concrete
- Can Concrete and Steel Ever be Carbon Neutral?
- Delivering waste efficiency in commercial buildings: A guide for facilities managers.
- Using BREEAM to assess the sustainable sourcing and use of aggregates
- Aggregate
- Material Flow Analysis: A tool for sustainable aggregate sourcing
Issue support documents
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Issue support documents are written for named BREEAM Issues or sub-issues. More info. (ac) = awaiting content.
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[edit] Management:
- BREEAM Sustainability champion
- BREEAM Environmental management
- BREEAM Considerate construction
- BREEAM Monitoring of construction site impacts
- BREEAM Aftercare support
- BREEAM Seasonal commissioning
- BREEAM Testing and inspecting building fabric
- BREEAM Life cycle cost and service life planning
- BREEAM Stakeholder consultation (ac)
- BREEAM Commissioning (ac)
- BREEAM Handover (ac)
- BREEAM Inclusive and accessible design (ac)
- BREEAM Post occupancy evaluation
[edit] Health and Wellbeing
- BREEAM Visual comfort Daylighting (partly ac)
- BREEAM Visual comfort View out
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control
- BREEAM Indoor air quality plan
- BREEAM Indoor air quality Ventilation
- BREEAM Thermal comfort
- BREEAM Internal and external lighting (ac)
- BREEAM Indoor pollutants VOCs (ac)
- BREEAM Potential for natural ventilation (ac)
- BREEAM Safe containment in laboratories (ac)
- BREEAM Acoustic performance
- BREEAM Safety and security (ac)
[edit] Energy
- BREEAM Reduction of energy use and carbon emissions
- BREEAM Energy monitoring
- BREEAM External lighting
- BREEAM Low carbon design
- BREEAM Passive design
- BREEAM Free cooling
- BREEAM LZC technologies
- BREEAM Energy efficient cold storage (partly ac)
- BREEAM Energy efficient transportation systems
- BREEAM Energy efficient laboratory systems
- BREEAM Energy efficient equipment (partly ac)
- BREEAM Drying space
[edit] Transport
- BREEAM Transport assessment and travel plan
- BREEAM Public transport accessibility
- BREEAM Sustainable transport measures
- BREEAM Proximity to amenities
- BREEAM Cyclist facilities
- BREEAM Alternative modes of transport (ac)
- BREEAM Maximum car parking capacity
- BREEAM Travel plan
- BREEAM Home office (ac)
[edit] Water
- BREEAM Water consumption
- BREEAM Water efficient equipment
- BREEAM Water monitoring
- BREEAM Water leak detection (ac)
[edit] Materials
- BREEAM Hard landscaping and boundary protection
- BREEAM Responsible sourcing of materials
- BREEAM Insulation
- BREEAM Designing for durability and resilience
- BREEAM Life cycle impacts
- BREEAM Material efficiency (ac)
[edit] Waste
- BREEAM Construction waste management
- BREEAM Recycled aggregates
- BREEAM Speculative floor & ceiling finishes
- BREEAM Adaptation to climate change
- BREEAM Operational waste
- BREEAM Functional adaptability (ac)
[edit] Land Use and Ecology
- BREEAM Site Selection
- BREEAM Ecological value of site
- BREEAM Protection of ecological features
- BREEAM Minimising impact on existing site ecology
- BREEAM Enhancing site ecology
- BREEAM Long term impact on biodiversity (ac)
[edit] Pollution
- BREEAM Impact of refrigerants
- BREEAM NOx emissions
- BREEAM Flood risk management (ac)
- BREEAM Surface water run-off (ac)
- BREEAM Reduction of night time light pollution (partly ac)
- BREEAM Reduction of noise pollution
Once an ISD has been initially created the '(ac)' marker can be removed
This particular index is based around the structure of the New Construction and RFO schemes.