The government introduced site waste management plans (SWMPs) as a means of providing a structure for waste delivery and disposal at all stages during a construction project. Within the broader framework of reducing waste and encouraging recycling, they focus attention on managing supply more efficiently, improving the storage and handling of materials, increasing material reuse, encouraging a greater take-up of recycled materials and reducing energy consumption.

Working with the customer in the project planning stages, contractors are able to utilise the SWMP framework to implement effective waste management strategies that will provide cost savings throughout the life of the project. SWMPs made this mandatory in England from 2008, but in reality, contractors have a duty of care to their customers that should make the identification and implementation of these strategies second nature.

SWMPs have seen contractors focus more on early planning and customer liaison to identify opportunities to design and engineer out waste. By applying the waste hierarchy and carefully choosing appropriate and sustainable building materials, costs savings can be achieved through reduced waste disposal. This is part of the beauty of the SWMP – the opportunities for cost savings ensure they will be adopted and used, but the results in environmental terms, with reduced waste disposal requirements, are also clearly being maximised.

SWMPs do not simply identify opportunities for waste reduction, they also set out targets and frame the measures to be taken to realise these. However, setting targets is not, in itself, enough. Contractors need a framework to gather evidence of our waste management in action and to assess its effectiveness. SWMPs are instrumental in this process of recording what has actually been achieved and assessing this against the targets set.

In order to monitor achievements against targets, contractors implement auditing of site processes to ensure compliance with both legal requirements and those set out in management systems. Having an SWMP in place formalises our approach to waste management and helps site teams to operate in a sustainable way. ISO 14001 accreditation and regular audits by external auditors are brought to bear to ensure activities on site are matching the aspirations of the SWMP.

The benefits arising from SWMPs are not restricted to the contractor, as they allow awareness of effective resource efficiency and waste management to be raised not just across the industry, but also with the supply chain. This can be done by incorporating WRAP-approved wording in procurement documentation, extending commitments established in SWMPs further than main contractors by rolling out to the supply chain.

Of course, the business benefits of sustainable resource efficiency are widely recognised. This is a key driver in the successful uptake of SWMPs across the industry and the consequent desire to reduce waste generated and waste to landfill. The requirement to implement SWMPs has seen some creditable outcomes in these areas across the industry.

SWMPs are a practical, useful tool in the industry’s drive to reach sustainability and environmental targets, as well as driving cost savings through increased efficiencies. Regardless of the outcome of Defra’s consultation on the possible repeal of the legal requirement for SWMPs for construction sites in England, many in the industry will continue to utilise SWMPs on their sites. The regulations may change, but as a way to drive sustainable resource efficiency and effective waste management for contractors with a committed and progressive approach in these areas, the use of SWMPs will continue to make sense.

Albert Ree is Director of Sustainability at Balfour Beatty