Construction waste and SWMPs

Site waste management plans (SWMPs) were originally launched by DTI as a voluntary code of practice for the construction industry. However, following support for SWMPs proposals in a Defra consultation, it is expected that legislation will be enacted in April 2008 to implement SWMPs into the industry.

SWMPs are intended to reduce the total amount of waste produced on construction sites and prevent fly tipping. A SWMP must identify the different types of waste to be produced by a construction project, consider any alterations to the design and materials specification of the project that could result in the reuse, recycling or recovery.

SWMP regulations will effect any person, contractor, supplier to the construction industry or company organising a construction project with a cost over £250,000.

This emphasises that every year the construction industry produces approximately 1.45 tonnes of waste for every person living in the UK. Benefits are said to include saving constructors money as it will help contractors manage materials more efficiently and therefore lower costs. It emphasises that an average skip costs £150 to hire and the average cost of what is thrown away in the skip is over £1,200. NetRegs also site that in the UK an average of 13% of all materials delivered to sites go into a skip without being used.


NetRegs have set up a site to offer advice