Rotherham - A pilot project aimed at reducing the amount of construction and demolition waste going to landfill or being fly-tipped is taking place in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire. Environment Agency officers will visit construction and demolition sites where the work taking place is estimated to cost more than £300,000. The officers will ensure that companies are aware of the Site Waste Management Plan Regulations 2008 and that they are complying with them by carrying out a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) audit of the site.

The construction business in the UK is responsible for nearly a third of all industry-related pollution incidents and produces three times the waste produced by all UK households combined.

A SWMP sets out how building materials, and resulting waste, is to be managed during the project. A good SWMP ensures that building materials are managed efficiently, waste is disposed of legally and material recycling and re-use and recovery is maximised.

Claire Spicer, environment management team leader said: “All projects in England with an estimated construction cost of over £300,000 must have a SWMP before work begins. Managing materials more efficiently, better storage and handling and re-use of materials can all cut costs to the company as well as being good for the environment.”

Both local authorities and the Environment Agency have power to enforce the SWMP Regulations via fixed penalty notices or prosecution, but want to work with companies to help realise the benefits and reduce the number of pollution incidents.

Quelle: Environment Agency UK

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