Site Waste Management Plans / SWMPs
Every year the construction industry produces almost 1.5 tonnes worth of waste for every individual living in the UK. In a bid to tackle the ongoing issue of onsite waste management, the DTI, in April 2007, introduced Site Waste Management Plans as a voluntary code of practice. Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) outline a clear structure for the reduction, recycle and disposal of waste at every stage of a construction project.
In April 2008 the SWMP becoming a legal requirement for ALL projects costing over £300,000.
Will this affect you?
Whilst good practice for all sites, if you are carrying out any building, civil engineering or engineering construction work where the total value of the materials AND labour exceed £300,000 then a SWMP will be a legal requirement.
How does a SWMP help you?
First and foremost, formulating a SWMP will ensure your duty of care obligations are met, and will also assist you in the responsible management of materials and waste, meaning cost savings for you, and more protection for the environment.
However SWMPs will also mean ALL waste queries can be answered easily and promptly as well as providing valuable information for future projects.
What will a SWMP show?
- who will be responsible
- what type(s) of waste will be produced
- how the waste will be managed
- which contractors will be used
- how the waste will be measured
Step by Step Guide to producing your SWMP…
Step 1
You will need to elect someone to take overall responsibility for the SWMP. Of course many individuals will be involved in the delivery of the plan, but one person needs to be in charge and responsible for any changes that take place, together with the authority to ensure everyone co-operates.
Step 2
The different types of waste and the quantities generated will need to be identified. To do this, you will need to think about every stage of the project, thinking about what materials you will be using etc. Any potential hazardous waste types must also be considered.
Step 3
You need to establish all of your waste management options, in terms of disposal, re-use and recycling. You will need to ensure all waste is to be stored and disposed of responsibly and that a record is kept of all waste disposed or transferred, which will be in the form of signed waste transfer notes.
Step 4
You will also need to find out how and where your waste will be disposed of. Of course you must also ensure any contractors you use comply with all the legal responsibilities.
Step 5
Organising your on site materials is the next stage. Significant savings can be made in terms of wastage by careful planning in the early stages.
Step 6
Once the plan is in place, you must then make sure that everybody knows about it, including your own workforce and especially sub contractors. At this stage it may be wise to develop a training programme to ensure that everyone fully understands what is involved and the importance of acquiring the correct paperwork.
Step 7
At this stage the plan should be in use on site. Now it is important to keep an eye on all movements of waste from the site. By carefully monitoring and tracking the progress of the plan, you will be able to compare with future projects. At the same time, make all is going to plan and being prepared to make changes if required.
Step 8
The final step is to review the project and learn lessons for future sites. By compiling an in-depth report, you will be able to learn from your mistakes and create a list of action points for the future.
Let Select help
Not only can we assist you throughout the formulation of your Site Waste Management Plans, either producing it for you with in-depth consultation, or just offering expert advice along the way…. we can also provide ALL of the waste and recycling services required to adhere to it.
for more information regarding your SWMPs, call 0844-443 4443 or email martin@selectaskip.co.uk
