DTI publish guide to managing waste on site for construction companies

In response to the poor performance of some house builders and construction companies in minimising site waste at source, The Department of Trade and Industry has published a brochure entitled 'Site Waste Management Plans - Guidance for Construction Contractors and Clients'.

The Guide outlines a voluntary code of practice for planning, project managing and implementing SWMPs (Site Waste Management Plans), which are designed to help manage building and construction site waste streams, correctly classifying waste types, assessing potential minimisation and re-usage or disposal routes.

The Guide targets both contractors and developers (if they are separate parties), advising on responsibilities and duty of care, legislation, best practice and reporting.

Wastefile UK's Environment & Compliance Officer, Chris Holliday says: 'The publication states that the code of practice is voluntary at the moment, and is being trialled for a year. The implication is that this structure of managing waste at site level could become mandatory after then.'

Chris goes on to say: 'The Guide certainly gives good sound advice about formulating and structuring a site waste management plan to reduce environmental impact. It also says that the building/construction industry believes that 20% of site waste can be recycled or re-used and the DTI estimates that £100M can be saved if 50% of contractors adopt the SWMP code of practice. Our experience supports this.

Wastefile UK have been working with the house building and construction industries for many years to design and implement total waste management plans. Our strategy will often cover multi-site waste management for clients who are developing across the UK, so the big picture, with efficiency of transfer and economy of scale is highly important. But perhaps the most important message we always need to get over to a new client is that the crucial battle to win in reducing waste and cost is at site level. Our site segregation systems are highly sophisticated - and proven to work, and we put much time and effort into the detail of implementing correctly, training site staff and monitoring progress.

'I think the Guide is definitely a step in the right direction,' says Chris. 'It should help persuade some contractors who are not yet up to speed that the means to combat rising disposal costs is right on their doorsteps.'

The 'Site Waste Management Plans - Guidance for Construction Contractors and Clients' can be found at www.ecdti.co.uk/CGIBIN/ Alternatively, call Wastefile UK on 0800 814133. We will provide a free assessment of your current arrangements, then show you how we can reduce landfill, save you money - and keep you one step ahead of the DTI's voluntary code of practice without you having to lift a finger.