Is It A Legal Requirement To Have A Site Waste Management Plan?

Every year, the construction and demolition industries produce countless tonnes of waste; in fact, it’s estimated by the European Commission that these sectors are responsible for a third of the world’s waste.

So where does all of this waste go? At a time when we should all be prioritising sustainability, it’s essential that we try to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount we send to landfill. The best way to do this is by implementing a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP). But what is this, and is it legally required? The team here at SCS Waste is here to explain what you need to know.

What is a Site Waste Management Plan?

A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is a comprehensive document that establishes the process for how waste will be handled on a site. As well as identifying the client, the contractor and the company responsible for waste management, it should also cover everything from forecasting how much waste will be produced to detailing the most appropriate method of disposal.

There are two different types of SWMP depending on the value of the project: a Basic SWMP and an Advanced SWMP.

A Basic SWMP (for projects between £300,000 and £500,000) should:

• Identify which licenced operator will remove the waste

• Record the type of waste that will be being disposed of

• Use the List of Waste (LoW) codes

• Record all waste transfer notes and all hazardous waste consignment notes

• Detail where the waste will be taken

An Advanced SWMP (for projects over £500,000) should do all the above and also:

• List the waste carrier registration number of the waste management company

• Regularly review the plan to ensure it reflects the project’s progress

• Record how much waste is recycled, reused, recovered and disposed of

• Make a comparison between the forecast waste and the actual amount of waste produced

• Explain why there are differences between the forecast waste and the actual amount of waste produced

• Estimate how much money was saved by implementing the SWMP

No matter what type of SWMP you have in place, the team here at SCS Waste can provide a range of commercial skips and ROROs to help manage any quantity of waste.

Is a Site Waste Management Plan legally required?

In 2008, the Site Waste Management Plan Regulations were introduced, and this meant that all sites with a value of over £300,000 were legally required to have a valid SWMP; otherwise, hefty fines could be issued. 

In December 2013, these regulations were repealed in an attempt to reduce Government red tape. Following this, sites are no longer obligated to have an SWMP in place; however, it is still considered best practice to implement one as they encourage more environmentally responsible waste disposal.

What are the benefits of a Site Waste Management Plan?

• It saves money: An SWMP can save you money in lots of ways: it can help to improve logistics on site, reduce waste disposal costs and encourage more careful, accurate material ordering.
  
  
• It reduces landfill waste: Your waste will be carefully sorted and processed to ensure as much is diverted from landfill as possible.
  
  
• It increases efficiency: A good SWMP will lead to a much more streamlined and organised waste management process to improve on-site efficiency.
  
  
• It’s good for the environment: More of your waste will be recovered or recycled to help conserve natural resources.

• It boosts your reputation: Potential clients will be much more likely to trust you if you take your environmental responsibilities seriously.

If you’re looking to implement a Site Waste Management Plan at your next construction project in Bognor Regis, Arundel, Littlehampton and the surrounding area, the team at SCS Waste can help. As your local commercial waste management experts, we strive to maintain a 100% recycling rate and ensure your waste is responsibly disposed of – contact us to find out more.