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Wst 03b Operational waste

(residential only)

See Wst 03a Operational waste for non-residential and residential institutions.

Number of credits availableMinimum standards
2Yes

Aim

To recognise and encourage the provision of dedicated storage facilities for operational-related household waste streams and so help to avoid waste being sent to landfill or incineration.

Assessment criteria

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

One credit - Recycling

1 An adequate external space has been allocated to the storage of both recyclable and non-recyclable or non-compostable household waste (see Compliance notes). The space must be:
1.aAt least the minimum recommended by the appropriate local authority OR
1.bWhere there are no recommendations from the local authority, 100L of volume for a single bedroom dwelling and a further 70L for each additional bedroom
1.cLocated on level hardstanding surface
1.dAccessible to the occupants of the house or block of flats.
2 Adequate internal space (including bins) has been allocated to the storage of recyclable household waste as follows:
2.aWhere there is a recyclable waste collection scheme in the area that can be used by the residents EITHER of the following have been provided for the storage of recyclable household waste:
2.a.iA minimum of three individual internal bins each no smaller than 7L OR
2.a.iiA single bin of minimum capacity 35L (only allowable where the local collection collects a number of different waste groups within a single container)
2.b Where no recyclable waste collection scheme is in place at least five bins (each not smaller than 15L) have been provided for the storage of recyclable household waste
2.cThe internal recycling bins should be located in a dedicated non-obstructive position. Free-standing recycling bins placed directly on the floor or in a cupboard do not comply. The bins could be in the kitchen (close to the non-recyclable waste bin) or located adjacent to the kitchen (i.e. within 10m), e.g. in a utility room or connected garage.

One credit - Composting

3 Provision of adequate external facilities for the storage or composting of household compostable waste. The facilities must be:
3.aLocated in a dedicated position and accessible to the dwelling occupants
3.bAccompanied by an information leaflet, delivered to each dwelling or communal kitchen. The leaflet must provide information on:
3.b.iHow composting works and why it is important
3.b.iiThe materials that can be composted (e.g. raw vegetable peelings and fruit, shredded paper, teabags, etc.)
3.b.iiiDetails of the operation and management plan for any communal composting scheme
3.b.ivWhere adequate external composting facilities are provided, troubleshooting information, e.g. what to do if the compost gets too dry or too wet.
4 Adequate internal container space (large enough to hold at least a 7L container), for storing segregated compostable organic material (i.e. food waste), is provided in each dwelling kitchen or each communal kitchen. This can be one of the three internal storage bins mentioned in criterion 2.a.
5 Where adequate external facilities have not been provided with a composting container, compliance can be demonstrated where one of the following is applicable to all dwellings under assessment:
5.aAn accessible local communal or community composting service, run by either a local authority or a private organisation
5.bA management plan, which is in place to ensure food or green waste is appropriately removed and delivered to an alternative composting facility
5.cA local authority or private organisation green or kitchen waste collection system.
6 For communal facilities at least one water outlet is provided for cleaning in and around the facility.

Checklists and tables

None.

Compliance notes

Ref

Terms

Description

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

CN1

Applicable assessment criteriaBoth options: This issue is not applicable. 

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 dwellings

Partially fitted: Criteria1 and 3 are applicable only.

Fully Fitted: 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

Where there are external facilities within the existing building, these can be used to assess compliance. The scope of these facilities must be adequate to cater for the total volume of predicted waste from the new and existing buildings.

CN3.1

Community based adequate external spaceIn countries where the outdoor space supplied for storing non-recyclable and recyclable waste is provided by the local authority for small communities of dwellings this can still be used to demonstrate compliance.

CN3.2

Accessible - reasonable distance to the facilities

Easy to access and within a reasonable distance to facilities.

The distance will depend on the collection scheme prevalent in the country or locality and should permit easy transfer of recycled waste streams to the facility. As a baseline this should normally be taken as the recommended distance set out by local authority requirements or 50m from an external entrance for houses and blocks of flats where no other requirements are in place.

CN3.3

Areas not yet covered by a collection scheme

For the purposes of criterion 2 , the development can be considered as having a recycling scheme in place where a local authority or operator provides a local recycling scheme and confirms in a written statement that the recycling scheme will be provided to the development within one year of the completion date of the dwelling (or first phase of development for larger scale projects).

CN3.4

Recyclable household waste

For the purpose of this issue, the space needs to be compatible with the range of recyclable collections provided by the local authority; the following materials will therefore typically be considered:

  1. Paper
  2. Cardboard
  3. Plastics
  4. Glass
  5. Metals (tins and cans)
  6. Textiles (clothes and shoes)
  7. Vegetable oils (from kitchen)
  8. Batteries.

CN3.5

Automated waste collection systemsThese are accepted as a form of compliance as long as a management plan is in place, which can either be public (local authority) or private and requirements for separation are met.

CN3.6

Adequate external composting facilities

These must consist of an external storage bin for compostable waste or a composting container.

The composting container must be specifically designed for composting and sited according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Such containers should not be sited in close proximity of windows, doors, or ventilation intakes for habitable areas within the dwelling or surrounding dwellings.

No requirements are set on the type of container or storage capacity required as this will be determined by the end user and predicted volumes of organic compostable waste. The assessor should be satisfied that, within reason, the installation is adequate for the size of the development, bearing in mind the likely quantity of organic waste that will be produced by the development.

CN3.7

Community composting schemes

Existing and proposed community schemes are acceptable under this issue as long as they comply with all the specifications in the technical guide.

The community scheme composting facility should be easily accessed from all dwellings served by the scheme, i.e. the householder would normally deliver the waste by foot.

It is acceptable for the bin to be beside other recycling bins in a communal collection site as long as it is clearly identifiable as being connected to a licensed community scheme.

The distance between the site entrance and the communal or community containers must not usually exceed 50m (if national regulations are in place and are more stringent, compliance with these is required).

CN3.8

Local authority green or kitchen waste collection schemesA kitchen waste collection scheme run by the local authority is an acceptable alternative to communal or community composting facilities.

Evidence

RefDesign stagePost-construction stage
All

Drawings or a copy of the specification.

Calculations to justify the size of the space allocated for external waste storage.

Letters or a contract from the local authority or a private organisation where appropriate.

Evidence for the existence of a community based adequate external space, set up and managed by the local authority, where applicable.

As design stage.

As-built drawings or specifications (where applicable) OR written confirmation that the development has been constructed in accordance with the design stage drawings and specifications.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Automated waste collection system
Some companies now offer a fully automated underground system, for the collection, sort and transport of waste. It allows for waste separation at the source, for different types of waste and from multiple locations, with enhanced hygienic, occupational health and safety standards. It also reduces the use of waste transport by lorries, reducing nuisance and CO₂ emissions, from fossil fuel consumption.
Composting
Composting is a natural process which converts organic waste into an earth-like mass by means of bacteria and micro-organisms. The composting process is also supported by larvae, wood lice, beetles, worms and other such creatures.
Communal or community composting
Communal or community composting is where a group of people share a composting system. The raw materials are provided by all who take part in the scheme, and the compost is then used in the community, either by individuals in their own gardens, or for use on larger projects within the local environment. The distance between the site entrance and the communal or community containers must not usually exceed 50m (or national regulations if these are more onerous).
The composting scheme must be compliant with all applicable legislation in the country of assessment.
Dedicated non-obstructive position
Ideally this would be in an easily accessible cupboard under the sink or any other cupboard in the kitchen, next to the storage or likely area for storing non-recyclable waste, where practical. Where a kitchen cupboard location is not possible the bins can be located near to the kitchen, in a utility room or connected garage for example.
Local authority collection scheme
In these schemes the local authority is responsible for regular collection of household waste from the dwelling or its locality. This includes the collection of residual waste (waste not intended for recycling or composting) and recyclable household waste.
Private recycling scheme operator
A private recycling scheme operator can be appointed to collect recyclable materials where a local authority collection scheme is not in operation or where a landlord or occupier elects to go private, e.g. in some apartments.

Other information

None.

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