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FACTFILE : SITE WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS
Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) can be important tools for the construction industry. They are likely to affect -: 1. Anyone who is planning a construction project costing more than £250,000; 2. Any construction project clients or architects that produce, manage or dispose of waste; 3. Suppliers to the construction industry; 4. Environmental regulators, ie. local authorities and the EA SWMPs were originally introdcued as a voluntary intiative, but are now being made compulsory, with the aim to -: 1. Change the construction industry's attitude to its waste profile and introduce waste planning methodology; 2. Reduce the amount of waste produced; 3. Prevent fly-tipping; 4. Improve environmental performance; 5. Deliver regulatory controls on waste management; 6. Reduce waste management costs. DEFRA launched the consultation in April 2007. There is a summary of responses published, indicating support for the proposal of statutory SWMPs. Respondents favoured the suggestion that the £250,000 threshold was too high and that SWMPs would be of benefit in terms of improving resource efficiency. Guidance -: The DTI (now BERR) published guidance document giving nine important steps to producing a SWMP (pre DEFRA Consultation Ap-Jul 07). STEP 1. Identify who is responsible for producing the SWMP and ensuring it is followed. Every SWMP must include the detilas of the person whom drafted it, the person in charge of the project and the contractors identity. If there is more than one contractor, details of the principle contractor are to be included. The SWMP must be kept either at the site office or, if there is no office, on site for at least two years after completion of the project. STEP 2. Identify the different types and quantities of waste that will be produced by the project at the various stages. STEP 3. Identify the waste management options and note any design changes and material specifications that seek to minimise waste. Consider the waste hierarchy of re-use, recycle, recover and disposal for all different waste streams generated by the project. STEP 4. Identify waste management sites and contractors for all wastes that require the company to demonstrate they are applying the Duty of Care regime and recording all waste quantities. STEP 5. Implement and carry out any necessary training of staff to ensure that everyone understands the requirements of the SWMP. STEP 6. Plan for efficient material and waste handling, and do this early within the project, bearing in mind any constraints imposed by the site and its location. It must also describe the construction works proposed, including the location of the site and estimated value, and record decisions made before the SWMP was drafted on the nature of the project, its design, construction methods and materials used. STEP 7. Measure the quantity and type of waste produced comparing these against the SWMP to ensure that the wastes are properly managed and lessons learned for next next time a SWMP is produced. All figures should be recorded on the datasheet. Every time waste is removed from teh site the SWMP must be updated with further information including -: 1. Waste type removed; 2. Destination site; 3. Identity of the waste management contractor removing the waste. The principal contractor must, within a month of completion, record on the SWMP a statement confirming the plan is monitored on a regular basis to ensure that work has progressed in accordance with the plan. STEP 8. Monitor the SWMPs implementation, ensuring that is adhered to and be prepared to update and amend if circumstances change. STEP 9. Review success of the SWMP at the end of the project, identifying learning points for further reference. Enforcement of the SWMPs will be the responsbility of the Local Authorities and the Environment Agency, who have the powers to impose penalties for failure to make, keep or produce a valid SWMP. Legislation is effective April 2008.
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