1. Government initiatives on construction and demolition waste
Katherine Adams
Centre for Resource Efficiency

2. Outline Situation today Policy background
Where do we want to be? National and EU targets
How do we get there? Some key policy instruments
Construction Resources and Waste Platform

3. C&D Resources & Waste 400 million tonnes of materials used/year
Up to 120 million tonnes of CD&E waste – one third of all waste
Estimate around 25 million tonnes of CD&E waste is disposed of in landfill every year in England
Uncertainties around the data
High wastage rates
Rising costs

4. England Waste Strategy 2007
Waste as a resource
Waste policy contributes to climate change objectives
Construction and demolition identified as priority sector for action
Focus on 25 million tonnes to landfill
Proposed target of halving CD&E waste to landfill by 2012 4

5. Strategy for Sustainable Construction
Joint Government/Industry strategy to promote leadership & behaviour change
Aims to:
Improve efficient resource use;
Help firms develop sustainable products or ways of working;
Corporate and Social Responsibility. 5

6. Sustainable Construction Strategy – Waste
Confirmed target of halving waste to landfill by 2012 compared to 2008.
Cutting 25 million tonnes to nearer 12 million. Need to do some work on baseline data.
17 millions tonnes of waste to landfill is “soil and stones”.
Subgroup of strategic forum focusing on C&D waste 6

7. Sustainable Construction Strategy – Actions

8. Waste as a Resource Resource availability a growing global issue
Need to identify barriers to markets for recovered raw materials from the waste chain
The Environment Agency working closely with WRAP on the Quality Protocols
Pathway to Zero Waste in the South East

9. Ending waste to landfill?
Longer term ambition to end disposal of CD&E waste in landfill as far as practicable;
But proposed target of “zero CD&E waste” to landfill by 2020 was rejected;
Landfill remains the most suitable solution for some (hazardous) waste streams;
Recycling & recovery capacity will be crucial
Best practice at >90% landfill avoidance

10. Revised Waste Framework Directive: C&D waste target
“by 2020, the preparing for re-use, recycling and other material recovery, including backfilling operations using waste to substitute other materials, of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste excluding naturally occurring material defined in category in the list of waste shall be increased to a minimum of 70% by weight.” 10

11. Waste Framework Directive
Will this be a driver for greater ambition on CD&E waste in the UK? Possibly not.
Commission yet to set precise rules for measurement of target.
Possible Commission study into C&D waste.
Commission can by 2014 propose additional targets for specific waste-streams if overall target unlikely to be met 11

12. Economic instruments and regulation
Various fiscal and regulatory measures are already driving up resource efficiency
- Landfill Tax
- Aggregates Levy
- Site Waste Management Plans
- Code for Sustainable Homes
- BREEAM

13. Site Waste Management Plans
SWMPs have raised the issue of resource use and waste up the agenda;
Lots of information for business, less so for local authorities;
Oversight and enforcement important
Full review of the legislation in 2011/12
Somre requirements through planning
SMARTWaste Plan is a free tool to assist

14. Environmental Standards
Outstanding
Very Good
Excellent
Pass
Good
Regulatory minimum
Number of buildings
BREEAM
Minimal
Aspirational
Environmental Standards

15. BREEAM & Waste
Wst 1 – Construction site waste management (max 4 credits)
Wst 2 – Recycled aggregates (max 1 credit)
Wst 3 – Recyclable waste storage (max 1 credit)
Wst 4 – Compactor/baler (not in all schemes)
Wst 5 – Composting (not in all schemes)
Wst 6 – Floor finishes (not in all schemes)

16. BREEAM and WS1 – Construction waste measurement
Up to 3 credits for waste reduction, based upon SMARTWaste benchmarks
Max 1 credit for diversion from landfill
75% by weight, 65% by volume
Pre-demolition audit if applicable
Plus other requirements related to SWMP
BREEAM Credits
m3 per 100m2
Tonnes per 100 m2
1 credit
13.0 – 16.6
6.6 – 8.5
2 credits
9.2 – 12.9
4.7 – 6.5
3 credits
< 9.2
< 4.7

17. Code for Sustainable Homes
Launched in December 2006
Mandatory for all new homes in England
1 to 6 star rating
1 = above Building Regulations
Licensed by BRE
Developed from EcoHomes

18. CSH: Construction Site Waste Management (Was 2)
Criteria
Detail
Mandatory
SWMP if project value over £300,000 (lower value automatic credit awarded)
Report in defined waste groups and set targets to promote resource efficiency
1 extra credit
Set requirements for reducing waste generated
In accordance with best practice (targets set for waste min, 3 waste groups)
To set and follow procedures to sort and divert waste from landfill, either onsite or through a licensed waste management contractor
3 waste groups identified for diversion at pre-construction stage

19. Halving Waste to Landfill Commitment
WRAP’s voluntary agreement provides a clear process to deliver the 1/2W2L target.
They will be working across the sector to support implementation over the next three years
A growing number of construction clients and practitioners are making the commitment and setting targets with their supply chains 19

20. Range of voluntary action underway
Additional action under umbrella of Sustainable Construction Strategy
For example, 20% reduction in construction packaging waste (Construction Products Association)
Extension of Plasterboard Voluntary Agreement
Resource plans for joinery and flooring sectors
Defra product roadmaps for plasterboard and windows
Creation of a new Construction Waste Group under Strategic Forum is helping to co-ordinate action

21. Product Roadmaps Step 5: product roadmap Step 4: agreed action plan
Stakeholder meetings
Step 5: product roadmap
Step 4: agreed action plan
Step 3: what else can be done to reduce impacts?
Policy mapping report
Step 2: what initiatives are already in place?
Step 1: what are the impacts?

22. What’s round the corner?
EUROPE
Green Public Procurement
Construction Products Regulation (proposed)
Ecolabel for buildings
CEN 350
Development of Horizontal Standardised Methods for the Assessment of the Integrated Environmental Performance of Buildings
EcoDesign Directive
Sustainable Consumption and Production

23. Construction Resources and Waste Platform (CRWP)
Funded by Defra
Managed by AEA & BRE
Reporting to steering group
Defra, St Gobain (Chair), M&S, Wates
Help to deliver Waste Strategy 2007 & Sustainable Construction Strategy 2008
Industry led and focussed on construction resource efficiency
One stop shop –
Fully aware of the qualities of the BREEAM/EcoHomes Schemes the Task Group wanted a single method……...
Concerned about the flexible credit system in EcoHomes. Whilst accepting the need for flexibility if cost effective solutions are to be available for developers, the task force was keen to see mandatory minimum standards in specific key areas to ensure an overall reasonable level of performance.
There was also widely differing views expressed about the appropriateness of the levels being achieved under EcoHomes given the rapidly developing targets for climate change, water and waste efficiency etc.
The resulting debate has been extremely useful in setting reasonable, achievable but meaningful increases in some areas.

24. Construction Resources and Waste Roadmap
Launched July 2008
Provides framework for change:
Where are we now = current state of play
Where should we be heading = targets
How will we get there = actions needed
Provides a vehicle for change with stakeholder buy in
Fully aware of the qualities of the BREEAM/EcoHomes Schemes the Task Group wanted a single method……...
Concerned about the flexible credit system in EcoHomes. Whilst accepting the need for flexibility if cost effective solutions are to be available for developers, the task force was keen to see mandatory minimum standards in specific key areas to ensure an overall reasonable level of performance.
There was also widely differing views expressed about the appropriateness of the levels being achieved under EcoHomes given the rapidly developing targets for climate change, water and waste efficiency etc.
The resulting debate has been extremely useful in setting reasonable, achievable but meaningful increases in some areas.

25. Roadmap targets Target 1
Halve the amount of (non-aggregate) construction
waste produced by 2015
Target 2
Halve the amount of construction, demolition and
excavation waste going to landfill by 2012 (as in the
Sustainable Construction Strategy)
Fully aware of the qualities of the BREEAM/EcoHomes Schemes the Task Group wanted a single method……...
Concerned about the flexible credit system in EcoHomes. Whilst accepting the need for flexibility if cost effective solutions are to be available for developers, the task force was keen to see mandatory minimum standards in specific key areas to ensure an overall reasonable level of performance.
There was also widely differing views expressed about the appropriateness of the levels being achieved under EcoHomes given the rapidly developing targets for climate change, water and waste efficiency etc.
The resulting debate has been extremely useful in setting reasonable, achievable but meaningful increases in some areas.

26. Roadmap Actions
Action 1: Set baseline data for construction related waste
Action 2: Measure performance consistently
Action 3: Extended producer responsibility
Action 4: Government Procurement
Action 5: Training
Action 6: Strengthen Code for Sustainable Homes
Action 7: Consistent approach to LCA and measuring carbon impact of waste
Action 8: Consider whole life costs
Action 9: Reduce and reuse
Action 10: Simplify support

27. CRWP Website

28. CRWP Reports

29. The tasks Task Industry support Evidence gathering
1. Secretariat support 
2. Stakeholder engagement
3. CRWP Website
4. Update benchmarks and baselines
5. Roadmap update 2010
6. Development of True Cost of Waste Calculator
7. LCA data for end of life options

30. The tasks Task Industry support Evidence gathering
8. Support on demolition waste 
9. Making the right decisions
10. Resource efficiency across the supply chain
11. Planning requirements/SPGs and SWMPs

31. Conclusions
Construction and demolition remain high priority sectors for sustainability, waste prevention, and resource efficiency
A mix of economic, regulatory, voluntary and advisory measures will be needed to reach new national and EU targets
The economic downturn means this agenda is more important, not less.
Innovative research being undertaken
More requirements for better data to under pin policy

32. For further information:
Thank you
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