After April 2008 Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) will be a legal requirement for all construction projects over £250,000 with more detailed plans required for projects over £500,000.

Both local authorities and the Environment Agency have the power to enforce SWMP implementation and the ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ already requires the mandatory use of a SWMP. ABC Environmental has extensive experience within the construction sector and can advise and assist with all aspects of site waste management planning. We worked closely with the Environmental Management Unit at one of the UK’s biggest construction companies on the production of their ‘Generic Waste Management Plan’ for use during all of their projects globally. Construction and demolition waste accounts for around 33% of controlled waste in the UK (over 100 million tonnes/ year), making it the single largest waste stream.

As a result, construction companies spend the equivalent of around 5% of their profits on waste disposal. SWMPs have numerous benefits:

• increased profit margins by reducing the cost of waste management
• a structured approach to management and recycling on site,
• reduced risk of breaking laws relating to materials on site and wastes disposal,
• easily referenced records to answer any queries from regulators.

Cranes picture by Martin Pettitt