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Wst 01 Construction waste management

(all buildings)

Number of credits availableMinimum standards
3Yes

Aim

To promote resource efficiency via the effective and appropriate management of construction waste.

Assessment criteria

This issue is split into two parts:

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

Construction waste reduction

One credit

1 Where appropriate targets for the amount of non-hazardous and hazardous waste produced on site are set in m3 of waste per 100m² or tonnes of waste per 100m².
2 Procedures are in place to minimise non-hazardous and hazardous waste in line with the targets.
3 The amount of site construction waste created is being monitored and targets regularly reviewed.
4 The design or site management team has nominated an individual responsible for implementing the above.
5 A pre-demolition audit of any existing buildings, structures or hard surfaces is completed to determine if refurbishment or reuse is feasible and, if not, to maximise the recovery of material from demolition for subsequent use, prioritising high grade or value applications. The audit must cover:
5.a Identification of the key refurbishment and demolition materials
5.bPotential applications and any related issues for the reuse and recycling of the key refurbishment and demolition materials.
6 Using the collated data, report the amount of waste generated per 100m² (gross internal floor area) in m³ (where volume is actual volume of waste, not bulk volume) or tonnes from the construction process via the BREEAM scoring and reporting tool.

One credit

7 Criteria 1 to 6 (where applicable) are achieved.
8 Procedures are in place for sorting, reusing and recycling construction waste into at least five defined waste groups (see Table 48) either on site or off-site through a licensed external contractor.

Diversion of resources from landfill

One credit

9 A significant quantity of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste (where applicable) generated by the project has been diverted from landfill according to the figures within Table 47 below:

Table 47BREEAM targets for diversion from landfill according to National construction and demolition (C&D) waste recovery rate

National recovery rates*Type of wasteOne creditExemplary level
BREEAM target rates for diversion from landfill
< 50% (by weight)*Construction

60% (by weight) or 50% (by volume)

75% (by weight) or 65% (by volume)
50% (by weight)*Construction

10% improvement over national rate

(up to where 95% of total waste created is diverted to landfill)

35% improvement over national rate

(up to where 95% of total waste created is diverted to landfill)

< 60% (by weight)*Demolition≥ 70% (by weight) or ≥ 60% (by volume)≥ 75% (by weight) or ≥ 65% (by volume)
60% (by weight)*Demolition≥ 10% improvement over national rate (up to where 95% of total waste created is diverted from landfill)≥95% of total waste created is diverted from landfill
*Where the national waste recovery rate is reported for both construction and demolition waste together, the same target should be used for both types of waste. For the project to achieve the credit, both construction and demolition waste (reported separately) must meet the target.
10 Waste materials will be sorted into separate key waste groups (according to the waste streams generated by the scope of the works) either on site or off-site through a licensed contractor for recovery (see Table 48 for information on waste groups).
11 Using the collated data, report the following via the BREEAM scoring and reporting tool (this applies to construction and demolition waste, where applicable):
11.aDestination of the non-hazardous waste leaving the site (i.e. address and facility); and
11.bLevel of waste diverted from landfill as a percentage of overall arising OR m3 of waste per 100m² OR tonnes of waste per 100m² (see Compliance notes).

Exemplary level criteria

The following outlines the exemplary level criteria to achieve an innovation credit for this BREEAM issue:

12 Criteria 1 to 11 , where applicable, are achieved.
13 The percentage of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste (if relevant) diverted from landfill meets or exceeds the exemplary level percentage benchmark (outlined in Table 47).

Checklists and tables

Even though some locations may have limited infrastructure, it should be possible to reuse and recycle the five basic materials (ceramics, excavated material, plasterboard, concrete and timber) locally, so the second credit will be awarded only if C&D waste is sorted into at least five waste groups (see Key waste group examples) or the minimum required by local regulations, whichever is the most onerous. Where there is a significant amount of metals to be reused or recycled this can replace the smallest of the five categories listed above.

Table 48Key waste group examples

Key group

Examples

Bricks

Bricks

Concrete

Pipes, kerb stones, paving slabs, concrete rubble, precast and in situ

Insulation

Glass fibre, mineral wool, foamed plastic

Packaging

Paint pots, pallets, cardboard, cable drums, wrapping bands, polythene sheets

Timber

Softwood, hardwood, board products such as plywood, chipboard, medium density fibreboard (MDF)

Electrical and electronic equipment

Electrical and electronic TVs, fridges, air-conditioning units, lamps equipment

Canteen or office

Office waste, canteen waste, organic waste, e.g. food waste

Oils

Hydraulic oil, engine oil, lubricating oil

Asphalt and tar

Bitumen, coal tars, asphalt

Ceramics

Tiles, bricks, ceramic sanitary ware, etc.

Excavated material (all inert)

Mixed rubble (mixture of concrete, ceramics and inert soils, clays, rocks, etc.)

Topsoil

Topsoil

Glass

Glass

Metals

Radiators, cables, wires, bars, sheet
Gypsum

Plasterboard, render, plaster, cement, fibre cement sheets, mortar

Plastics

Pipes, cladding, frames, non-packaging sheet

Furniture

Tables, chairs, desks, sofas
Soils

Soils, clays, sand, gravel, natural stone

Liquids

Non-hazardous paints, thinners, timber treatments

Hazardous

As defined in national legislation or as defined in the Hazardous Waste List (HWL) of the European Waste Catalogue (EWC). Compliance is required with the more onerous of the two.

Floor coverings (soft)

Carpets, vinyl flooring

Architectural features

Roof tiles, reclaimed bricks, fireplaces

Mixed or otherEfforts should be made to categorise waste into the above categories wherever possible

Compliance notes

Ref

Terms

Description

Shell and core (non-residential and residential institutions only)

CN1

Applicable assessment criteriaBoth options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply.

Refer to Appendix D – Shell and core project assessments for a more detailed description of the shell and core assessment options.

Residential - Partially fitted and fully fitted

CN2

Applicable assessment criteria - Single and multiple dwellingsBoth options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply.

Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options.

General

CN3

Extensions to existing buildings

For assessments of extensions to existing buildings, where only the extension is being assessed, it is only the extension that must comply.

CN3.1

Diversion from landfill

Diversion from landfill includes:

  1. Reusing the material on site (in situ or for new applications)
  2. Reusing the material on other sites
  3. Salvaging or reclaiming the material for reuse
  4. Returning material to the supplier via a ‘take-back’ scheme
  5. Recovery of the material from the site by an approved waste management contractor and subsequently being recycled or sent for energy recovery.

CN3.2

Use of BRE SmartwasteCriteria 14 are achieved where the client or contractor confirms that BRE’s SMARTWaste system is to be used for planning and monitoring.

CN3.3

Limited site space for segregation and storageWhere space on site is too limited to allow waste materials to be segregated, a waste contractor may be used to separate and process recyclable materials off-site. Similarly, manufacturers’ take-back schemes could also be used. Where this is the case, sufficient documentary evidence must be produced which demonstrates that segregation of materials is carried out to the agreed levels and that materials are reused or recycled as appropriate.

CN3.4

National construction and demolition waste recovery rate

Where the national construction and demolition recovery rates are known submit these as part of the ASWLApproved Standards and Weightings List process. .

Where the national construction and demolition recovery rates are unknown the design team should assume that they are 50% for both construction and demolition. Achieving a 10% improvement will therefore require the design team or the contractor to divert 60% by weight of their non-hazardous construction waste from landfill.

CN3.5

Waste from temporary support structures

Some projects require temporary works that fall outside the scope of normal construction methods or practices, for example, projects that require bespoke temporary steelwork supports for façade retention. If it can be demonstrated that the components and materials used will be either reused or, if this is not possible, recycled after use then these may be excluded from the construction waste reduction and diversion from landfill assessments of this issue. However, the strategy for ensuring resource efficient design of the temporary works and an explanation of the reuse or recycling of the materials concerned must be reported in the site waste management plan, including a full justification for exemption, and provided to BRE Global. This justification will be reviewed by BRE Global on a case-by-case basis and must be approved prior to these credits being awarded.

Methodology

None.

Evidence

RefDesign stagePost-construction stage
All

A copy of the specification or contract or other formal document confirming waste procedures, including recycling and targets OR a letter from the client or their representative.

Where relevant, a copy of the pre-demolition audit.

A copy of the waste procedures, including recycling and targets.

Monitoring records or report.

Where relevant, a copy of the pre-demolition audit.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Appropriate targets
These can be set according to best practice (where available) and will depend on the type of waste and the opportunities for reuse on site. Targets could also be set to improve on data from similar past projects or which are working towards a company target. The design team should justify why the targets are deemed appropriate. A target is NOT deemed to be an 'appropriate target' within this issue solely because it is achievable. Note: Targets and measurements should exclude demolition and excavation waste as this varies from project to project (and is addressed in the 'diversion from landfill' credit). Further information can be found on the SMARTWaste Plan website on how to set appropriate targets.
Inert waste
Waste is considered inert if:
  1. It does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biological transformations;
  2. It does not dissolve, burn or otherwise physically or chemically react, biodegrade or adversely affect other matter with which it comes into contact in a way likely to give rise to environmental pollution or harm to human health; and
  3. Its total leachability and pollutant content and the ecotoxicity of its leachate are insignificant and, in particular, do not endanger the quality of any surface water or groundwater (taken from the European Community (EC) Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste).
Pre-demolition audits
These provide detailed information on materials that can be reclaimed and recycled, so reducing the cost and environmental impact of waste disposal, bringing savings from reusing existing materials and earnings from selling those that are not needed. They:
  1. Identify volumes of wastes so that your company can plan 'reuse, recycling and recovery' activities prior to work starting.
  2. Are tailor-made for each demolition project including:
    1. Identifying markets for recycled or recovered material
    2. Identifying reclamation and reuse potential both on site and off-site
    3. Local and national material valuation
    4. Segregation recommendations
    5. Environmental quantification.
  3. Increase material and labour efficiency, reduce waste and maximise profit.

Other information

Site waste management plan

The implementation of a site waste management plan (SWMP) can help manage the site construction waste produced. The aim of a SWMP is to promote resource efficiency and to prevent illegal waste activities. Resource efficiency includes minimising waste at source and ensuring that clients, designers and principal contractors assess the use, reuse and recycling of materials and products on and off the site. A SWMP consists of a combination of commitments to:

  1. Design out waste
  2. Reduce waste generated on site
  3. Develop and implement procedures to sort and reuse or recycle construction waste on and off-site (as applicable).

Data obtained from measuring and monitoring site construction waste can then be used to check performance against targets and benchmarks, analyse the effectiveness of any solutions implemented and strive for continual improvement.

SMARTWaste

SMARTWaste is an online environmental reporting tool for the construction industry. It enables organisations to efficiently capture, monitor and report on:

Used to meet the criteria of this issue and as a source of evidence for demonstrating compliance, SMARTWaste helps organisations to reduce their environmental impacts, making substantial time and cost savings.

More information about SMARTWaste can be found at: www.smartwaste.co.uk.

BREEAM International New Construction 2016
Reference: SD233 – Issue: 2.0
Date: 03/07/2017
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