Together with industry group the Sustainability Forum, the Waste and Resources Action Programme is calling on construction and demolition companies to achieve a 50% cut in materials going to landfill by 2012.
 Guidance is being developed to help construction firms cut the 30 million tonnes of waste they send to landfill every year |
The two organisations believe industry could save hundreds of millions of pounds if it meets the target.
The UK construction industry sends around 30 million tonnes of waste to landfill every year – but the two organisations believe halving this is an “achievable industry-wide target”.
The Forum, part of the Strategic Forum for Construction, is working with government-funded recycling development organisation WRAP to help construction firms meet the target.
Savings
Ian Coull, chair of the Sustainability Forum, said: “In order for the industry to improve its sustainability, we must set targets and goals for reducing waste and improving the use of resources. This goal to halve waste by 2012 is an excellent place to start, and it’s now up to the entire industry supply chain to take action, not only for the environment, but also to deliver cost and efficiency savings.”
Waste reduction measures for planned new houses could cut waste by one million tonnes, the Forum believes, representing cost savings for materials and landfill fees of more than 600 million.
Work with the industry will particular focus on cutting the amount of waste generated, recycling wastes that are produced, and buying more construction products and materials made using recycled content.
”It’s now up to the entire industry supply chain to take action, not only for the environment, but also to deliver cost and efficiency savings“
– Ian Coull, Sustainability Forum
Guidance
Step-by-step guidance is being developed by WRAP and other bodies like Envirowise to help construction firms reduce their landfilling activities.
Companies are also being steered towards the Planning Policies for Sustainable Building guidance document recently published by the Local Government Association and Planning Officers’ Society for help on waste and recycling.
“This is not a ‘challenge’ to the industry, but a real opportunity for long-term environmental responsibility from the sector, which is one of the UK’s biggest generators of waste. We already have evidence demonstrating the significant benefits to be gained and we can help put it into practice,” said WRAP’s head of construction, Dr Mike Watson.
“If this can be translated into action throughout the supply chain, halving construction waste by 2012 is a real possibility.”
Spotlight
A number of influential client and industry organisations are already leading the way, WRAP said, including the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Major Contractors Group, who have committed to setting minimum requirements on waste and recycling.
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WRAP is also hoping to discuss ways to cut waste with organisations involved in the regeneration of the Thames Gateway at an event in London today and tomorrow (see letsrecycle.com story).
WRAP’s chief executive, Jennie Price, said: “The UK’s construction industry is going to be under the spotlight over the next few years, with the 2012 Olympics and the continued development of the Thames Gateway. These are excellent opportunities to show the world what best practice can achieve, and make a substantial difference to reducing the industry’s impact on the environment.”
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