Site Waste Management Plan Regulations 2008 (SWMP)

The Government’s positive action for the environment is gathering apace.   Further evidence of this comes in the shape of the regulations as regards a construction project’s Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP). These regulations clarify the position clients and contractors have as regards waste management, as well as their responsibilities. In simple terms, from the 1st April 2008 it is compulsory for any parties involved in construction projects that have costs in excess of £300,000 to be aware of and to follow a SWMP.  The SWMP must be a document that is carefully written according to the regulations, and it must be in place and available before any work starts.   The Site Waste Management plans are intended to inform everyone involved in a project of the nature of the waste the work will produce, and of how the waste is to be managed.   It is all part of the government’s attempts to both reduce construction costs and impact on the environment.

Who is affected by a Site Waste Management Plan?

Basically, the Site Waste management Plan regulations 2008 state that a SWMP has to identify three parties: the client, the contractor, and the person who drafted the plan.   These parties have to be clearly identified in the plan or the plan is not acceptable.   This aspect of the SWMP regulations makes it clear that all three parties have responsibilities as regards the management of waste.   Because any breach of the new SWMP regulations is to be treated as an offence, with a fine of up to £50,000 in severe cases, it is good practice for a client to insist on the SWMP to be contained within the contract that they sign.

What are the SWMP Regulations?

The SWMP has to clearly state the details of the construction that is proposed.   Essentially, from the laying of the first brick, all aspects of the work have to be outlined.   Alongside this detailed approach to the planning of the project, the contractors have to include costings for each stage.   Costs are important, because any planned construction that proposes costs over the £500,000 mark will require a SWMP that contains a considerably higher level of detail.

Furthermore, according to site waste management laws, contractors and clients have to ensure that the SWMP contains a breakdown of the waste that is to be produced by the project.   From abrasive cleaning of surfaces to building materials, anything that is not part of the final build is to be classified as waste.   Then, the plan must offer even more information, this time about what happens to the waste product.

The site waste management laws make it clear that the interested parties indicate what action is to be taken with the waste.   This is encouraging because, in addition to striking a much-needed blow against fly tipping and other illegal dumping, the SWMP regulations should encourage all those involved in a building project to think more proactively about what happens to the stuff they don’t want.   And it will, of course, help construction firms and their clients cut costs in the long run.

It is this transparency as regards waste management that forms the backbone of the new site waste management regulations.   Both the client and contractor have to formally declare agreement to their actions as regards waste.

If the project carries costs of over £500,000 then the details required are much more stringent.   The principal contractor then has a duty to put forward such details as the identity of the person who will actually be managing the waste, in addition to further details such as the vehicle(s) that will transport it.  The principal contractor must also identify the nature of the waste, and where it is to be taken.   Within three months of the project completion, the principal contractor must also identify any changes that have been made to the original SWMP.  If this is not done, then an offence has been committed.

What Do I need to formulate a Site Waste Management Plan?

If you have responsibility for preparing a SWMP then it is important that you follow a structured approach throughout its development and implementation. The main points are:

• Identify the types and the quantities of waste that are to be produced throughout the construction project
• Be clear about and then identify your waste management options, including those on and off-site, and your procedures for identifying and managing hazardous waste
• Identify your waste management sites, and clarify procedures for their use
• Ensure that all staff onsite, including all of the subcontractors attached to the project, are fully aware of the details of the SWMP
• Make sure you have planned for efficient waste disposal for all of the sites attached to the project
• As the job progresses, measure how much and what type of waste is produced, and check this against the details in the SWMP
• Monitor the SWMP at all stages, and if there is a need for updates, ensure these are included, it is an offence to not do this
• Once the project is completed, review the SWMP, and see if there are any areas for improvement

A better Future

The regulations will help to significantly reduce the amount of waste that is produced by the construction industry, which is responsible for producing 100 million tonnes of the stuff per year.   They will also encourage all parties to think about how they can reduce costs overall, as well as have a more positive outlook when it comes to the environment.   Everyone benefits, and construction plays its part in providing a better future for all.

To find out how MBHS can help you with your Site Waste Management Plans, please get in touch.