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Wst 01 Construction waste management

Number of credits available	Minimum standards
4	Yes

Aim

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

Assessment criteria

This issue is split into two parts:

Construction resource efficiency (3 credits)
Diversion of resources from landfill (1 credit).

The following is required to demonstrate compliance for:

Up to three credits - Construction resource efficiency

Where a Resource Management Plan (RMP) has been developed covering the non-hazardous waste related to on-site construction and dedicated off-site manufacture or fabrication (including demolition and excavation waste) generated by the building’s design and construction (see CN3).
Where construction waste related to on-site construction and dedicated off-site manufacture/fabrication (excluding demolition and excavation waste) meets or is lower than the following (Table 51 :

Table 51 Construction waste resource efficiency benchmarks

BREEAM credits	Amount of waste generated per 100m² (gross internal floor area)
	m³	tonnes
One credit	≤ 13.3	≤ 11.1
Two credits	≤ 7.5	≤ 6.5
Three credits	≤ 3.4	≤ 3.2
Exemplary level	≤ 1.6	≤ 1.9

Note - Volume (m³) is actual volume of waste (not bulk volume).

Where existing buildings on the site will be demolished a pre-demolition audit of any existing buildings, structures or hard surfaces is completed to determine if, in the case of demolition, refurbishment/reuse is feasible and, if not, to maximise the recovery of material from demolition for subsequent high grade/value applications. The audit must be referenced in the RMP and cover:
1. Identification of the key refurbishment/demolition materials.
2. Potential applications and any related issues for the reuse and recycling of the key refurbishment and demolition materials in accordance with the waste hierarchy.

One credit - Diversion of resources from landfill

The following percentages of non-hazardous construction (on-site and off-site manufacture/fabrication in a dedicated facility), demolition and excavation waste (where applicable) generated by the project have been diverted from landfill:

Table 52 Diversion from landfill benchmarks

BREEAM credits	Type of waste	Volume	Tonnage
One credit	Non demolition	70%	80%
	Demolition	80%	90%
	Excavation	N/A	N/A
Exemplary level	Non demolition	85%	90%
	Demolition	85%	95%
	Excavation	95%	95%

Waste materials will be sorted into separate key waste groups as per (according to the waste streams generated by the scope of the works) either on-site or through a licensed contractor for recovery.

Exemplary level criteria

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

Non-hazardous construction waste generated by the building’s design and on-site construction and off-site manufacture or fabrication (excluding demolition and excavation waste) is no greater than the exemplary level resource efficiency benchmark (outlined in Table 51 ).
The percentage of non-hazardous construction (on-site and dedicated off-site manufacture/fabrication), demolition and excavation waste (if relevant) diverted from landfill meets or exceeds the exemplary level percentage benchmark (outlined in Table 52 ).
All key waste groups are identified for diversion from landfill in the RMP.

One credit - Construction resource efficiency - simple buildings

Where projects have a Resource Management Plan (RMP) with the aim of minimising and monitoring waste.

Two credits - RMP measurements and reporting - simple buildings

Where criterion 9 above has been met.
The developed and implemented waste management procedures recorded in the RMP ensure that the following are measured and reported on :
1. Construction waste generated by the project in m³ or tonnes per 100m² gross internal floor area (excluding demolition and excavation waste).
1. The proportion of this construction waste diverted from landfill, i.e. reused/recycled/recovered.
This data must be reported at the final post construction stage of the BREEAM assessment, via the BREEAM assessment and reporting process (in addition to any other internal or external reporting of the data that may occur). Note: where existing buildings on the site will be demolished, a pre-demolition audit of any existing buildings, structures or hard surfaces must be completed to determine if, in the case of demolition, refurbishment/reuse is feasible. If the audit finds that this is not feasible, then its purpose is to maximise the recovery of material from demolition for subsequent high grade/value applications. The audit must be referenced and cover:
1. Identification of the key refurbishment/demolition materials.
2. Potential applications and any related issues for the reuse and recycling of the key refurbishment and demolition materials.

Exemplary level criteria - simple buildings

The first three construction resource efficiency credits have been achieved.
Non-hazardous construction waste measurement/monitoring records details of the source of the waste arisings, by associating the waste with project work packages (see Methodology).
Where the project meets or improves on the BREEAM exemplary level benchmark (Table 52 ) for the diversion from landfill of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste (where generated).

Checklists and tables

None

Compliance notes

Ref	Terms	Description
Shell and core
CN1	Applicable assessment criteria	Option 1 – Shell only: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Option 2 – Shell and core: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix D – BREEAM UK New Construction and Shell and Core Project Assessments for a more detailed description of the above shell and core assessment options.
Simple buildings
CN2	Applicable assessment criteria	Construction resource efficiency (3 credits) One credit Criterion 9. Two credits Criteria 10 and 11. Diversion from landfill (1 credit) Criteria 4 and 5. Exemplary level credit Criteria 12 to 14.
General
CN3	Resource Management Plan records	The project waste arisings should be recorded and include construction, demolition and excavation waste. Note that the performance benchmarks for the award of credits do not include demolition and excavation waste.
CN3.1	Limited site space for segregation and storage See criterion 5.	Where space on site is too limited to allow 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, evidence must be produced which demonstrates that segregation of materials is carried out to the agreed levels and that materials are reused/recycled as appropriate. Such evidence could be Environment Agency/Scottish Environment Protection Agency/Environment Agency Wales/Northern Ireland Environment Agency Waste Return Forms.
CN3.2	Waste from temporary support structures	Any waste generated on-site for the purposes of the development (excluding demolition and excavation waste) must be taken account of in the assessment of this issue. If temporary support structures, or any other materials/system brought on-site to facilitate construction of a building, enter the waste stream (albeit for recycling), then they will need to be classified as construction waste and therefore contribute to the construction waste benchmark necessary to facilitate assessment with this issue. If the support structure is reused by the contractor (or by another contractor) on other sites, then it hasn’t been discarded and therefore doesn’t enter the waste stream. Thus it wouldn’t be included in the waste generated and hence the benchmark figures for this issue. The same would apply to timber formwork where reused.

Methodology

Work packages

For the simple building exemplary criteria, the waste arisings need to be associated with the source of waste by project work packages. These work packages could include:

Asbestos removal
External and site works
Fixtures and fittings
Groundworks and excavation
Refurbishment
Remediation
Re-roofing
Services
Soft strip
Substructure
Superstructure.

Evidence

Criteria	Interim design stage	Final post construction stage
All	One or more of the appropriate evidence types listed in The BREEAM evidential requirements section can be used to demonstrate compliance with these criteria.
All	A copy of the Resource Management plan and, where relevant, pre-demolition audit.	As per interim design stage

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Best practice construction waste management plan (see RMP and SWMP)

Best practice is a combination of commitments to:

Design out waste (materials optimisation)
Reduce waste generated on-site
Develop and implement procedures to sort and reuse/recycle construction and demolition waste on-site and off-site (as applicable)
Follow guidance from:
- Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
- BRE (Building Research Establishment Ltd)
- WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme)
- Welsh Government.

Dedicated off-site manufacturing or fabrication

Refer to definition under Man 03 Responsible construction practices.

Diversion from landfill

Actions to avoid waste being disposed of in landfill include:

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

Resource Management Plan (RMP)

The aim of the RMP 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 compliant RMP is one that defines:

A target benchmark for resource efficiency, i.e. m³ of waste per 100m² or tonnes of waste per 100m²
Procedures and commitments for minimising non-hazardous waste in line with the target benchmark
Procedures for minimising hazardous waste
A waste minimisation target and details of waste minimisation actions to be undertaken
Procedures for estimating, monitoring, measuring and reporting hazardous and non-hazardous site waste. If waste data is obtained from licensed external waste contractors, the data needs to be reliable and verifiable, e.g. by using data from EA/SEPA/EA Wales/NIEA Waste Return Forms
Procedures for sorting, reusing and recycling construction waste into defined waste groups (see additional guidance section), either on-site or through a licensed external contractor
Procedures for reviewing and updating the plan
The name or job title of the individual responsible for implementing the above.

A Site Waste Management Plan is a form of Resource Management Plan and for BREEAM should be written in line with best practice (see definition of Best practice construction waste management plan)

Site Waste Management Plans

Some locations may have a legal requirement, due to government requirements, to produce a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) containing prescribed details. This should be complied with as necessary. To achieve any of the construction waste management credits the assessed development, regardless of value or locality, must have a BREEAM compliant Resource Management Plan that should be written in line with best practice (see definition of Best practice construction waste management plan).

Waste hierarchy

The order of priority for the management of waste where waste generation could or does occur. This is listed in descending order of environmental preference in The Waste (England and Wales) Regulation 2011 as:

Prevention
Reuse
Recycle
Recover
Dispose.

Waste minimisation

This term encompasses two elements of the waste hierarchy:
Waste reduction/prevention = using less material in design, manufacture and installation, keeping products for longer, using no hazardous materials
Reuse = using products again for the same purpose for which they were conceived, which may require checking, cleaning or repairing (preparing for reuse).
Types of waste minimisation actions include:

Set and report against waste reduction targets
Design for standardisation of components
Avoid waste from excavation/groundworks and consider opportunities for zero cut and fill
Return packaging for reuse
Consider community reuse of surplus/offcuts
Include waste minimisation initiatives and targets in tenders/contracts and engage with the supply chain
Consider use of BIM (Building Information Modelling)
Design for off-site/modular build
Design for flexibility, adaptability and future deconstruction
Design to use fewer materials
Use of reusable temporary elements such as shuttering and protection.

This list is not exhaustive and other waste minimisation actions can be taken.

Construction waste groups

Table 53 Construction waste groups

European Waste Catalogue	Key group	Examples
170102	Bricks	Bricks
170101	Concrete	Pipes, kerb stones, paving slabs, concrete rubble, precast and in situ
170604	Insulation	Glass fibre, mineral wool, foamed plastic
1501	Packaging	Paint pots, pallets, cardboard, cable drums, wrapping bands, polythene sheets
170201	Timber	Softwood, hardwood, board products such as plywood, chipboard, medium density fibreboard (MDF)
1602	Electrical and electronic equipment	Electrical and electronic TVs, fridges, air-conditioning units, lamps equipment
200301	Canteen/office	Office waste, canteen waste, vegetation
1301	Oils	Hydraulic oil, engine oil, lubricating oil
1703	Asphalt and tar	Bitumen, coal tars, asphalt
170103	Tiles and ceramics	Ceramic tiles, clay roof tiles, ceramic, sanitary ware
1701	Inert	Mixed rubble/excavation material, glass
1704	Metals	Radiators, cables, wires, bars, sheet
170802	Gypsum	Plasterboard, plaster, fibre cement sheets
170101	Binders	Render, cement, mortar
170203	Plastics	Pipes, cladding, frames, non-packaging sheet
200307	Furniture	Tables, chairs, desks, sofas
1705	Soils	Soils, clays, sand, gravel, natural stone
Most relevant EWC	Liquids	Non-hazardous paints, thinners, timber treatments
Most relevant EWC	Hazardous	Defined in the Hazardous Waste List (HWL) of the European Waste Catalogue (EWC)
Most relevant EWC	Floor coverings (soft)	Carpets, vinyl flooring
Most relevant EWC	Architectural features	Roof tiles, reclaimed bricks, fireplaces
170904 (Mixed)	Mixed/other	Efforts should be made to categorise waste into the above categories wherever possible.

Other information

BREEAM construction resource efficiency benchmarks

The resource efficiency benchmarks used in BREEAM have been derived using data collected from hundreds of real life projects using BRE's SMARTWaste system, from July 2008 to March 2013. The BREEAM credits are aligned to the benchmarks as follows:

One credit: Performance in the top 50% of projects (better than standard practice)
Two credits: Performance in the top 25% of projects (good practice)
Three credits: Performance in the top 10% of projects (best practice)
Exemplary level: Performance in the top 5% of projects (exemplary practice).

For more information please see www.smartwaste.co.uk

Why does BREEAM exclude demolition and excavation waste from the resource efficiency benchmarks?

BREEAM does not include demolition and excavation (D&E) waste in its resource efficiency benchmark, despite it often being the largest tonnage of waste on-site, because the amount of D&E waste produced is site-dependant. Furthermore, it is not necessarily possible to reduce the amount of demolition waste (unless a decision is taken not to demolish in the first place).

Including D&E waste in an overall construction resource efficiency benchmark would:

Not encourage sites with unavoidably large amounts of D&E waste to focus on reducing waste arising from construction materials (which would have further knock-on environmental impacts); and
Mean that sites with little or no D&E waste would find compliance with the benchmark more straight forward, which would weaken the drivers for reducing construction waste resulting from the specification and use of new building materials.

BREEAM aims to ensure that, where D&E waste is generated, it is diverted from landfill and where possible reused for high grade use on-site to reduce the volume of new materials produced/required in the supply chain (which themselves may go on to generate additional waste). One credit and an exemplary level credit are available where it can be demonstrated that D&E waste has been diverted from landfill.

Tools for preparing, implementing and reviewing a RMP

SMARTWaste® is a web-based membership tool allowing users to measure and monitor construction-site impacts..

The tool can be used for:

Preparing, implementing and reviewing SWMPs or RMPs
Online measuring and reporting on
- Waste (aligned to defined waste groups)
- Site energy, fuel and water use
- CO₂ production from energy usage
- Procurement of certified/sustainable timber
Industry waste benchmarks
Links to BREMAP.

This membership tool is frequently updated and offers the user flexibility, reporting and support. Templates are available to meet the latest BREEAM credits and can also be downloaded. More information is available at www.smartwaste.co.uk.

Other tools for preparing, implementing and reviewing a RMP are available from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) www.wrap.org.uk.

WRAP and UKCG waste reporting guidelines

WRAP have guidelines for measuring and reporting construction, demolition and excavation waste which have been developed with the United Kingdom Contractors Group (UKCG). This differs from SMARTWaste in a number of ways.

For the WRAP/UKCG method, only materials taken off-site as waste are to be recorded as waste. It is optional to record data for materials that are reused on-site but these should not be reported.

The WRAP/UKCG method also has default diversion from landfill rates for waste sent off-site to waste destinations. For example, it is assumed that 50% of inert soil and stones (EWC 17 05 04) and brick, concrete, tiles and ceramics (EWC 17 01 01, EWC 17 01 02, EWC 17 01 03, and EWC 17 01 07) sent to landfill will go to beneficial reuse (e.g. landfill engineering and restoration). SMARTWaste and BREEAM do not make this assumption.