2012 Olympics venues set 20% recycled content target

The new Aquatics Centre will be one of the new facilities to be made from at least 20% recycled material

As part of its newly-published sustainable development strategy, the Olympic Delivery Authority pledged to recycle 90% by weight of demolition material from the East London site that will stage the Games in 2012.

Developers of permanent venues and the Olympic Village will be required to use 20% by materials value of recycled material in their construction activities.

The Authority said it was also aiming for any aggregates used in construction to include at least 25% recycled aggregate material.

Its chief executive, David Higgins, said: “This strategy is unprecedented for a development of this nature and signals a watershed moment in the delivery of sports facilities in the UK. We are meeting tomorrow's requirements today – far exceeding current policy targets.”

Plans
As all major construction projects in England will soon require, the Olympic development will make use of specific Site Waste Management Plans to set individual re-use and recycling targets under contractual arrangements.

The Plans will be drawn up after pre-demolition surveys are carried out to identify materials that could be re-used or recycled.

The Site Waste Management Plans will also detail how hazardous wastes will be managed, with the Stratford site known to include “significant contamination”.

The Authority's strategy said its Site Waste Management Plans would be based on segregating materials at source, bulking and classifying them on site using Construction Material Recycling Facilities. WRAP – the Waste and Resources Action Programme – is currently advising the Authority on possible targets, and a steering group has been set up to maximise re-use and recycling on site.