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Bricklayers' waste has particular problems, for example:

• water that's been in contact with cement powder or workable concrete can be highly alkaline and may need to be dealt with as hazardous waste
• concrete contains chromium, which is polluting to watercourses and groundwater
• washout water from trucks and mixers must never be allowed to enter storm water drains

For more information, see dealing with hazardous waste and preventing water pollution.

As a bricklayer, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact in a number of ways, including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste and checking whether the site you're working on is registered for hazardous waste
• reducing the amount of wasted materials - eg avoid throwing away mortar, cut bricks or insulation
• knowing the different waste types you produce and separating them when you can
• sending back pallets - don't waste space in a skip
• storing and reusing washout water, allowing the silt to settle and disposing of it responsibly
• knowing the products you use and reading any product labels
• using fletton commons as these use less energy to make than other bricks
• using blocks with a high percentage of recycled aggregate, eg thermalite
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• filling the perps (ends to bricks) to make walls more thermally efficient
• minimising the amount of water you use

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Carpenters and joiners have specific environmental issues to deal with. For example, there are many types of construction timber, all with different environmental impacts. Although natural timber can be sustainably produced and disposed of, it is not very durable (so it is treated with preservatives) or stable (so it is often bonded with glues to laminates). These chemicals can add significantly to the environmental impact of treated products, making timber recycling more difficult.

Knowing where your timber comes from helps you to understand its environmental impact. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme certifies that timber (both softwood and hardwood) comes from sustainable forests and not from the depletion of tropical rainforests - .

You can reduce your costs and environmental impact through a number of other methods including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• using materials carefully and keeping off-cuts for reuse
• using mechanical fixings where possible
• separating your waste
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aiming to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging
• making sure pallets are sent back to the manufacturer for reuse
• using fewer composite boards
• being aware that dry and wet rot and many boring insects only occur in damp timber - cure the damp and you can avoid problems
• being aware that insulation reduces the energy needed to warm and cool buildings
• investigating timber recycling schemes for leftover materials, such as the

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The costs of decorating can include wasteful use of raw materials, disposing of waste and extra costs for dealing with hazardous waste substances. Cutting decorating costs can make a big difference to how profitable your decorating contract will be.

Practical tips to save money when decorating

There are several ways in which decorators can save money and reduce the impact on the environmental, including:

• knowing the types of waste you produce
• reducing the cleaning of brushes and rollers by suspending brushes in water overnight, wrapping rollers in a carrier bag or using a 'brush mate' wet paintbrush storage system
• reading the label of the products you are using
• washing out emulsion paint tins and using them as paint kettles
• mixing together leftover paints and reusing them as undercoat
• clearly labelling and leaving unused paints on site for touching up
• securely storing tins containing water-based paint or paint residue, removing the lids and allowing the paint to harden before disposal
• reusing solvents and cleaning fluids after solids have settled
• investigating paint recycling schemes for leftover paint, such as 
• considering use of natural clay-based and linseed oil-based paints
• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• knowing how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

Decorators have specific issues to deal with because a lot of the material with which they work is potentially hazardous, including:

• solvent-based paints, varnishes, sealants, wood stains and wood preservers
• some border adhesives
• lead paint (and burnt-off lead paint)
• two-part fillers
• some mastics
• solvent-based paint remover
• brick cleaner
• spray paints
• lime wash
• fire-retardant paints

If you are unsure if your decorating materials are hazardous or not, check the label or ask the manufacturer for more detail. You must deal with all of these wastes carefully and comply with any legal requirements that apply - see managing hazardous substances.

Other issues of specific concern to decorators are:

• if your work produces unacceptable levels of dust and odour, the local council environmental health department can stop you working
• you must not allow water and chemicals from the washing of paint and painting equipment to enter surface water drains or to soak into the ground
• if you work in a domestic property, you can wash brushes in the sink if the property has a mains sewerage connection
• you must not dispose of liquid wastes to landfill, so check whether you can use surplus paint elsewhere before you decide to dispose of it

You must help to ensure that your decorating waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

You must make sure that gypsum-containing products, such as plasterboard, are sent to the correct type of landfill site. Plasterboard waste must be separated and sent to specially-designed facilities. The cost of this is substantial so you should make sure you reduce this waste.

It's estimated that 12 per cent of all plasterboard delivered to building sites in the United Kingdom is wasted without ever being used. The reasons for this include:

• over ordering
• poor handling (on delivery and on-site shifting) causing damage to sheets
• poor on-site storage
• careless work planning, resulting in unnecessary offcuts
• failure to separate material that could be reused or recycled
• project design changes
• lack of communication between different trades and sub-contractors

Reducing the amount of plasterboard you waste will lower your costs, increase your profits, help you to become more efficient and enable you to demonstrate the quality and environmental credentials of your work to customers.

Continual improvement programme

You should work with the main contractor to cut waste production through a five-step programme:

1. Measure how much plasterboard waste is produced. Ask why plasterboard waste is being produced, how you can improve performance and what current best practice is.
2. Benchmark to identify opportunities for change. Ask what the differences are between best practice and poor practice, whether there are any obvious reasons and what is needed to adopt best practice in other areas.
3. Communicate to everyone involved where you can make improvements and what they need to do. Find out who needs to know about the changes to current practices and how they should be informed.
4. Monitor progress to reduce waste against an agreed target. Ask how you can ensure that improvements are sustained and that poor practice does not come back, and whether changes have had a detrimental impact elsewhere.
5. Improve further by doing things even better. Review progress regularly and challenge existing best practice to reduce waste even more. Ask how much progress has been made and how things can be made even better. Make sure you involve other relevant work colleagues about how you can reduce waste further.

You should then return to step one to ensure that you continue to make improvements.

Measuring plasterboard use and wastage

There are two simple methods to measure wastage:

• Plasterboard recovery, such as using take-back bags, ensures plasterboard waste will be separated out from other wastes. You can record the amount produced each month - measured by weight or by the number of bags.
• Plot-lot ordering systems involve assembling the materials required for each plot at the merchant's premises. To ensure that the correct type and amount of materials are ordered, sub-contractors have to produce a 'bill of materials' or 'take-off' for each build type.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Being proactive in finding ways to eliminate waste can save you money as well as reduce your environmental impact. You could:

• work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment
• look for the shortest cabling route whenever possible - making sure you comply with wiring regulations
• recover and reuse lengths of wiring and cabling during and between projects
• avoid over-ordering, as this increases waste
• reduce your packaging, which can be a significant source of waste - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• recycle where you cannot eliminate or reduce waste - redundant cabling may be viewed as a valuable commodity by recycling businesses
• reuse or recycle cable drums - some organisations are prepared to pay for used pallets and drums and this will save you money and space in skips
• think about the types of waste you produce and whether you need to deal with them as hazardous waste - for example fluorescent tubes
• take steps to protect completed work so others cannot damage it
• work efficiently - for example reduce tails to a minimum and don't install more lights and sockets than are needed
• find out how much recycled content there is in the materials you use and trial those with a higher recycled content - for example plastic cable trunking
• encourage the use of low-energy lighting
• keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can result in damage and waste
• make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions
• work with your supply chain to purchase sustainable materials from local suppliers

Make sure you comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. You should store and deal with WEEE separately from other waste. This includes power tools, mobile phones, CCTV and alarm systems, computers and microwaves (but not the fabric of the building, such as lifts).

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

It's important that waste is properly separated on site into three main types - inert, non-hazardous and hazardous. Ensure you know and recognise the different types - ask your supervisor if you don't know. Make sure you have the right protective clothing and equipment.

You can help to reduce the site's environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• know about the products you are handling by reading the labels
• get the trades to finish, rather than wasting, mixed materials such as concrete, plaster and adhesives
• never throw away insulation - use all offcuts and excess insulation to fill any gaps
• send back pallets - they can be reused and should never be wasted in a skip
• separate waste - if you have space, do not mix non-hazardous and inert waste as this can prevent recycling and increase disposal costs
• pack skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aim to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• if your supplies are delivered in non-reusable dumpy bags, use the empty bags to separate your waste
• damp down dust with water when you are sweeping up - it helps to avoid impact on local air quality (but make sure you don't cause dirty water to run-off into drains and watercourses)
• know how you should handle hazardous waste
• know how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The problem of waste is particularly acute for those working with plaster and plasterboard. Up to 1.3 million tonnes of plasterboard waste is generated by the construction and refurbishment industry each year, and a proportion of all new plasterboard is wasted even before it is used.

This is a particular problem because plasterboard waste causes disposal problems. If it is mixed with biodegradable wastes - such as food - it can produce hydrogen sulphide, a major contributor to acid rain. You must make sure that any waste which contains gypsum (such as plaster and plasterboard) is properly separated and sent to specially-designed waste cells.

It is essential that you look at ways of reducing or eliminating plasterboard waste to avoid high disposal costs. You can do this by actively encouraging better design and good site practice, such as reusing offcuts. You can also reduce your environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• don't waste materials - plan jobs so that you use what you have on site and use all of the plaster you have mixed
• store materials carefully so they are not wasted by damage from impact or moisture
• protect work so others do not damage it - redoing work is very wasteful
• separate your waste so you do not contaminate other wastes
• make sure plaster washings do not contaminate groundwater

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Plumbers use scarce materials such as copper, steel, lead and iron, as well as installing heating systems and expensive equipment, such as boilers, which have a long-term effect on carbon dioxide emissions. This gives plumbers the opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on environmental issues.

There are a number of ways you can reduce waste and save money. You could:

• Work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment. For example, you could reuse lengths of pipework during and between projects.
• Avoid over ordering, as this increases waste.
• Think about the types of waste you produce and whether they need to be dealt with as hazardous waste.
• Make sure you recycle any waste - this applies to many plumbing materials including copper, steel, lead, cast iron and aluminium.
• Reduce your packaging waste - for example some pipework does not require any packaging at all and can be unloaded directly off the delivery vehicle.
• Consider alternative, shorter routes for pipework.
• Purchase pre-fabricated pipework - this will reduce waste generated on site and also cut the cost of labour as installation is much quicker.
• Speak to your suppliers to find out if they use returnable packaging - for example crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can cause considerable waste.
• Protect completed work so it is not damaged by others. 'Just-in-time' delivery for pre-fabricated pipework could increase available storage on site as well as reducing the likelihood of materials becoming damaged.
• Use materials with recycled content.
• Design pine-runs to use as few fittings as possible and save resources by fitting the minimum sizes of boiler, radiators and tanks.
• Use water-saving dual-flush systems and put hippo bags in existing cisterns to reduce water use.
• Insulate pipework to prevent heat loss and frost damage.
• Avoid flushing systems into surface water drains.
• Make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Some of the wastes produced from steelwork are considered hazardous, including fluorescent tubes and oily rags. You will need to dispose of these according to hazardous waste regulations.

Steelworkers can benefit from significant cost savings by reducing waste and environmental impacts:

• Consolidating loads can minimise deliveries to site and reduce fuel costs.
• Use bare steel instead of coated steel where possible - bare steel can be used while maintaining suitable levels of safety and durability.
• Over-specification, damage to materials and components, off-cuts and defects cause significant wastage of materials on construction sites.
• Steel manufactured off site is easily managed and can be produced to a high quality. This can help you reduce wastage and any waste that is generated can be collected, separated and reused or recycled.
• Just-in-time deliveries of steel construction products reduce the need for on-site storage of products and materials. This reduces the risk of damage to products stored on-site.
• Water-based acrylic or water-based epoxy zinc phosphate primers reduce solvent emissions and the production of hazardous waste.
• Depending on paint viscosity and tin size, typically 5 per cent is left in the tin. Where possible, empty the tin before disposing of it.
• For larger volume painting, consider dip or flood paint application which can result in less paint wastage than sprayer application.
• Regularly clean and replace the tip of your paint spray gun to ensure effective coverage. Check that you use the appropriate tip size to reduce overspray and apply the coat to specification.
• Reduce your packaging waste. Speak to your suppliers to find out if they can supply products in bulk. Also, find out if they use returnable packaging - eg crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Where possible, avoid over ordering as this increases waste.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Window, door and conservatory manufacturers and installers have a crucial role to play in reducing the environmental impacts of glass and glazing. This can be achieved by adopting best practice techniques for waste minimisation and good waste management.

Frame manufacturers can minimise waste by:

• Automating profile cutting operations. Fully automated profile cutting allows a wastage rate of around 5 per cent, and semi-automated cutting should generally achieve rates of up to 13 per cent. If your wastage rates are higher than 13 per cent, you should look into how to improve this.
• Recycling profile off-cuts. The major manufacturers generally offer take-back schemes, or you could find an independent recycler.
• Handling, cutting and storing glass with care.
• Recycling glass wherever possible - when looking for recycling outlets, first ask the manufacturers whether they accept glass waste. If not, find an independent glass recycler.
• Returning faulty or incorrectly sized insulating glass units directly to the manufacturer for disposal.
• Working with suppliers to implement a returnable packaging system with plastic crates. If this isn't possible, ask them to reduce the packaging they use - you could even make it a requirement of their supply contract.
• Separating cardboard and plastic packaging for a specialist recycler to collect. If this isn't practical, consider using a small compactor or baler for cardboard and plastic packaging to make the most of skip space. This could reduce the number of skips you need by up to 40 per cent.
• Ensuring that staff are aware of new waste minimisation measures, and the reasons for these. For example, installing different brightly-coloured and labelled bins for different materials could help people to separate waste for recycling.

As most waste produced by window and door manufacture is recyclable and often high value, you should be able to sell your waste to recyclers. If you are spending money to dispose of waste, you are probably not getting the best deal.

Window, door and conservatory installers can improve waste management by:

• Sending packaging waste (a large component of waste particularly from new-build sites) back to the yard, so that all packaging can be collected and recycled together.
• Separating hardcore into an inert waste skip.
• Sending timber to a community wood recycling scheme.
• Sending waste flat glass to a specialist recycler. For high specification off-cuts, you could actually be paid for your waste.
• Selling aluminium, lead and steel as scrap metal by weight.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Bricklayers' waste has particular problems, for example:

• water that's been in contact with cement powder or workable concrete can be highly alkaline and may need to be dealt with as hazardous waste
• concrete contains chromium, which is polluting to watercourses and groundwater
• washout water from trucks and mixers must never be allowed to enter storm water drains

For more information, see dealing with hazardous waste and preventing water pollution.

As a bricklayer, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact in a number of ways, including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste and checking whether the site you're working on is registered for hazardous waste
• reducing the amount of wasted materials - eg avoid throwing away mortar, cut bricks or insulation
• knowing the different waste types you produce and separating them when you can
• sending back pallets - don't waste space in a skip
• storing and reusing washout water, allowing the silt to settle and disposing of it responsibly
• knowing the products you use and reading any product labels
• using fletton commons as these use less energy to make than other bricks
• using blocks with a high percentage of recycled aggregate, eg thermalite
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• filling the perps (ends to bricks) to make walls more thermally efficient
• minimising the amount of water you use

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Carpenters and joiners have specific environmental issues to deal with. For example, there are many types of construction timber, all with different environmental impacts. Although natural timber can be sustainably produced and disposed of, it is not very durable (so it is treated with preservatives) or stable (so it is often bonded with glues to laminates). These chemicals can add significantly to the environmental impact of treated products, making timber recycling more difficult.

Knowing where your timber comes from helps you to understand its environmental impact. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme certifies that timber (both softwood and hardwood) comes from sustainable forests and not from the depletion of tropical rainforests - .

You can reduce your costs and environmental impact through a number of other methods including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• using materials carefully and keeping off-cuts for reuse
• using mechanical fixings where possible
• separating your waste
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aiming to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging
• making sure pallets are sent back to the manufacturer for reuse
• using fewer composite boards
• being aware that dry and wet rot and many boring insects only occur in damp timber - cure the damp and you can avoid problems
• being aware that insulation reduces the energy needed to warm and cool buildings
• investigating timber recycling schemes for leftover materials, such as the

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The costs of decorating can include wasteful use of raw materials, disposing of waste and extra costs for dealing with hazardous waste substances. Cutting decorating costs can make a big difference to how profitable your decorating contract will be.

Practical tips to save money when decorating

There are several ways in which decorators can save money and reduce the impact on the environmental, including:

• knowing the types of waste you produce
• reducing the cleaning of brushes and rollers by suspending brushes in water overnight, wrapping rollers in a carrier bag or using a 'brush mate' wet paintbrush storage system
• reading the label of the products you are using
• washing out emulsion paint tins and using them as paint kettles
• mixing together leftover paints and reusing them as undercoat
• clearly labelling and leaving unused paints on site for touching up
• securely storing tins containing water-based paint or paint residue, removing the lids and allowing the paint to harden before disposal
• reusing solvents and cleaning fluids after solids have settled
• investigating paint recycling schemes for leftover paint, such as 
• considering use of natural clay-based and linseed oil-based paints
• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• knowing how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

Decorators have specific issues to deal with because a lot of the material with which they work is potentially hazardous, including:

• solvent-based paints, varnishes, sealants, wood stains and wood preservers
• some border adhesives
• lead paint (and burnt-off lead paint)
• two-part fillers
• some mastics
• solvent-based paint remover
• brick cleaner
• spray paints
• lime wash
• fire-retardant paints

If you are unsure if your decorating materials are hazardous or not, check the label or ask the manufacturer for more detail. You must deal with all of these wastes carefully and comply with any legal requirements that apply - see managing hazardous substances.

Other issues of specific concern to decorators are:

• if your work produces unacceptable levels of dust and odour, the local council environmental health department can stop you working
• you must not allow water and chemicals from the washing of paint and painting equipment to enter surface water drains or to soak into the ground
• if you work in a domestic property, you can wash brushes in the sink if the property has a mains sewerage connection
• you must not dispose of liquid wastes to landfill, so check whether you can use surplus paint elsewhere before you decide to dispose of it

You must help to ensure that your decorating waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

You must make sure that gypsum-containing products, such as plasterboard, are sent to the correct type of landfill site. Plasterboard waste must be separated and sent to specially-designed facilities. The cost of this is substantial so you should make sure you reduce this waste.

It's estimated that 12 per cent of all plasterboard delivered to building sites in the United Kingdom is wasted without ever being used. The reasons for this include:

• over ordering
• poor handling (on delivery and on-site shifting) causing damage to sheets
• poor on-site storage
• careless work planning, resulting in unnecessary offcuts
• failure to separate material that could be reused or recycled
• project design changes
• lack of communication between different trades and sub-contractors

Reducing the amount of plasterboard you waste will lower your costs, increase your profits, help you to become more efficient and enable you to demonstrate the quality and environmental credentials of your work to customers.

Continual improvement programme

You should work with the main contractor to cut waste production through a five-step programme:

1. Measure how much plasterboard waste is produced. Ask why plasterboard waste is being produced, how you can improve performance and what current best practice is.
2. Benchmark to identify opportunities for change. Ask what the differences are between best practice and poor practice, whether there are any obvious reasons and what is needed to adopt best practice in other areas.
3. Communicate to everyone involved where you can make improvements and what they need to do. Find out who needs to know about the changes to current practices and how they should be informed.
4. Monitor progress to reduce waste against an agreed target. Ask how you can ensure that improvements are sustained and that poor practice does not come back, and whether changes have had a detrimental impact elsewhere.
5. Improve further by doing things even better. Review progress regularly and challenge existing best practice to reduce waste even more. Ask how much progress has been made and how things can be made even better. Make sure you involve other relevant work colleagues about how you can reduce waste further.

You should then return to step one to ensure that you continue to make improvements.

Measuring plasterboard use and wastage

There are two simple methods to measure wastage:

• Plasterboard recovery, such as using take-back bags, ensures plasterboard waste will be separated out from other wastes. You can record the amount produced each month - measured by weight or by the number of bags.
• Plot-lot ordering systems involve assembling the materials required for each plot at the merchant's premises. To ensure that the correct type and amount of materials are ordered, sub-contractors have to produce a 'bill of materials' or 'take-off' for each build type.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Being proactive in finding ways to eliminate waste can save you money as well as reduce your environmental impact. You could:

• work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment
• look for the shortest cabling route whenever possible - making sure you comply with wiring regulations
• recover and reuse lengths of wiring and cabling during and between projects
• avoid over-ordering, as this increases waste
• reduce your packaging, which can be a significant source of waste - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• recycle where you cannot eliminate or reduce waste - redundant cabling may be viewed as a valuable commodity by recycling businesses
• reuse or recycle cable drums - some organisations are prepared to pay for used pallets and drums and this will save you money and space in skips
• think about the types of waste you produce and whether you need to deal with them as hazardous waste - for example fluorescent tubes
• take steps to protect completed work so others cannot damage it
• work efficiently - for example reduce tails to a minimum and don't install more lights and sockets than are needed
• find out how much recycled content there is in the materials you use and trial those with a higher recycled content - for example plastic cable trunking
• encourage the use of low-energy lighting
• keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can result in damage and waste
• make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions
• work with your supply chain to purchase sustainable materials from local suppliers

Make sure you comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. You should store and deal with WEEE separately from other waste. This includes power tools, mobile phones, CCTV and alarm systems, computers and microwaves (but not the fabric of the building, such as lifts).

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

It's important that waste is properly separated on site into three main types - inert, non-hazardous and hazardous. Ensure you know and recognise the different types - ask your supervisor if you don't know. Make sure you have the right protective clothing and equipment.

You can help to reduce the site's environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• know about the products you are handling by reading the labels
• get the trades to finish, rather than wasting, mixed materials such as concrete, plaster and adhesives
• never throw away insulation - use all offcuts and excess insulation to fill any gaps
• send back pallets - they can be reused and should never be wasted in a skip
• separate waste - if you have space, do not mix non-hazardous and inert waste as this can prevent recycling and increase disposal costs
• pack skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aim to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• if your supplies are delivered in non-reusable dumpy bags, use the empty bags to separate your waste
• damp down dust with water when you are sweeping up - it helps to avoid impact on local air quality (but make sure you don't cause dirty water to run-off into drains and watercourses)
• know how you should handle hazardous waste
• know how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The problem of waste is particularly acute for those working with plaster and plasterboard. Up to 1.3 million tonnes of plasterboard waste is generated by the construction and refurbishment industry each year, and a proportion of all new plasterboard is wasted even before it is used.

This is a particular problem because plasterboard waste causes disposal problems. If it is mixed with biodegradable wastes - such as food - it can produce hydrogen sulphide, a major contributor to acid rain. You must make sure that any waste which contains gypsum (such as plaster and plasterboard) is properly separated and sent to specially-designed waste cells.

It is essential that you look at ways of reducing or eliminating plasterboard waste to avoid high disposal costs. You can do this by actively encouraging better design and good site practice, such as reusing offcuts. You can also reduce your environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• don't waste materials - plan jobs so that you use what you have on site and use all of the plaster you have mixed
• store materials carefully so they are not wasted by damage from impact or moisture
• protect work so others do not damage it - redoing work is very wasteful
• separate your waste so you do not contaminate other wastes
• make sure plaster washings do not contaminate groundwater

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Plumbers use scarce materials such as copper, steel, lead and iron, as well as installing heating systems and expensive equipment, such as boilers, which have a long-term effect on carbon dioxide emissions. This gives plumbers the opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on environmental issues.

There are a number of ways you can reduce waste and save money. You could:

• Work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment. For example, you could reuse lengths of pipework during and between projects.
• Avoid over ordering, as this increases waste.
• Think about the types of waste you produce and whether they need to be dealt with as hazardous waste.
• Make sure you recycle any waste - this applies to many plumbing materials including copper, steel, lead, cast iron and aluminium.
• Reduce your packaging waste - for example some pipework does not require any packaging at all and can be unloaded directly off the delivery vehicle.
• Consider alternative, shorter routes for pipework.
• Purchase pre-fabricated pipework - this will reduce waste generated on site and also cut the cost of labour as installation is much quicker.
• Speak to your suppliers to find out if they use returnable packaging - for example crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can cause considerable waste.
• Protect completed work so it is not damaged by others. 'Just-in-time' delivery for pre-fabricated pipework could increase available storage on site as well as reducing the likelihood of materials becoming damaged.
• Use materials with recycled content.
• Design pine-runs to use as few fittings as possible and save resources by fitting the minimum sizes of boiler, radiators and tanks.
• Use water-saving dual-flush systems and put hippo bags in existing cisterns to reduce water use.
• Insulate pipework to prevent heat loss and frost damage.
• Avoid flushing systems into surface water drains.
• Make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Some of the wastes produced from steelwork are considered hazardous, including fluorescent tubes and oily rags. You will need to dispose of these according to hazardous waste regulations.

Steelworkers can benefit from significant cost savings by reducing waste and environmental impacts:

• Consolidating loads can minimise deliveries to site and reduce fuel costs.
• Use bare steel instead of coated steel where possible - bare steel can be used while maintaining suitable levels of safety and durability.
• Over-specification, damage to materials and components, off-cuts and defects cause significant wastage of materials on construction sites.
• Steel manufactured off site is easily managed and can be produced to a high quality. This can help you reduce wastage and any waste that is generated can be collected, separated and reused or recycled.
• Just-in-time deliveries of steel construction products reduce the need for on-site storage of products and materials. This reduces the risk of damage to products stored on-site.
• Water-based acrylic or water-based epoxy zinc phosphate primers reduce solvent emissions and the production of hazardous waste.
• Depending on paint viscosity and tin size, typically 5 per cent is left in the tin. Where possible, empty the tin before disposing of it.
• For larger volume painting, consider dip or flood paint application which can result in less paint wastage than sprayer application.
• Regularly clean and replace the tip of your paint spray gun to ensure effective coverage. Check that you use the appropriate tip size to reduce overspray and apply the coat to specification.
• Reduce your packaging waste. Speak to your suppliers to find out if they can supply products in bulk. Also, find out if they use returnable packaging - eg crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Where possible, avoid over ordering as this increases waste.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Window, door and conservatory manufacturers and installers have a crucial role to play in reducing the environmental impacts of glass and glazing. This can be achieved by adopting best practice techniques for waste minimisation and good waste management.

Frame manufacturers can minimise waste by:

• Automating profile cutting operations. Fully automated profile cutting allows a wastage rate of around 5 per cent, and semi-automated cutting should generally achieve rates of up to 13 per cent. If your wastage rates are higher than 13 per cent, you should look into how to improve this.
• Recycling profile off-cuts. The major manufacturers generally offer take-back schemes, or you could find an independent recycler.
• Handling, cutting and storing glass with care.
• Recycling glass wherever possible - when looking for recycling outlets, first ask the manufacturers whether they accept glass waste. If not, find an independent glass recycler.
• Returning faulty or incorrectly sized insulating glass units directly to the manufacturer for disposal.
• Working with suppliers to implement a returnable packaging system with plastic crates. If this isn't possible, ask them to reduce the packaging they use - you could even make it a requirement of their supply contract.
• Separating cardboard and plastic packaging for a specialist recycler to collect. If this isn't practical, consider using a small compactor or baler for cardboard and plastic packaging to make the most of skip space. This could reduce the number of skips you need by up to 40 per cent.
• Ensuring that staff are aware of new waste minimisation measures, and the reasons for these. For example, installing different brightly-coloured and labelled bins for different materials could help people to separate waste for recycling.

As most waste produced by window and door manufacture is recyclable and often high value, you should be able to sell your waste to recyclers. If you are spending money to dispose of waste, you are probably not getting the best deal.

Window, door and conservatory installers can improve waste management by:

• Sending packaging waste (a large component of waste particularly from new-build sites) back to the yard, so that all packaging can be collected and recycled together.
• Separating hardcore into an inert waste skip.
• Sending timber to a community wood recycling scheme.
• Sending waste flat glass to a specialist recycler. For high specification off-cuts, you could actually be paid for your waste.
• Selling aluminium, lead and steel as scrap metal by weight.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Bricklayers' waste has particular problems, for example:

• water that's been in contact with cement powder or workable concrete can be highly alkaline and may need to be dealt with as hazardous waste
• concrete contains chromium, which is polluting to watercourses and groundwater
• washout water from trucks and mixers must never be allowed to enter storm water drains

For more information, see dealing with hazardous waste and preventing water pollution.

As a bricklayer, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact in a number of ways, including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste and checking whether the site you're working on is registered for hazardous waste
• reducing the amount of wasted materials - eg avoid throwing away mortar, cut bricks or insulation
• knowing the different waste types you produce and separating them when you can
• sending back pallets - don't waste space in a skip
• storing and reusing washout water, allowing the silt to settle and disposing of it responsibly
• knowing the products you use and reading any product labels
• using fletton commons as these use less energy to make than other bricks
• using blocks with a high percentage of recycled aggregate, eg thermalite
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• filling the perps (ends to bricks) to make walls more thermally efficient
• minimising the amount of water you use

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Carpenters and joiners have specific environmental issues to deal with. For example, there are many types of construction timber, all with different environmental impacts. Although natural timber can be sustainably produced and disposed of, it is not very durable (so it is treated with preservatives) or stable (so it is often bonded with glues to laminates). These chemicals can add significantly to the environmental impact of treated products, making timber recycling more difficult.

Knowing where your timber comes from helps you to understand its environmental impact. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme certifies that timber (both softwood and hardwood) comes from sustainable forests and not from the depletion of tropical rainforests - .

You can reduce your costs and environmental impact through a number of other methods including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• using materials carefully and keeping off-cuts for reuse
• using mechanical fixings where possible
• separating your waste
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aiming to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging
• making sure pallets are sent back to the manufacturer for reuse
• using fewer composite boards
• being aware that dry and wet rot and many boring insects only occur in damp timber - cure the damp and you can avoid problems
• being aware that insulation reduces the energy needed to warm and cool buildings
• investigating timber recycling schemes for leftover materials, such as the

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The costs of decorating can include wasteful use of raw materials, disposing of waste and extra costs for dealing with hazardous waste substances. Cutting decorating costs can make a big difference to how profitable your decorating contract will be.

Practical tips to save money when decorating

There are several ways in which decorators can save money and reduce the impact on the environmental, including:

• knowing the types of waste you produce
• reducing the cleaning of brushes and rollers by suspending brushes in water overnight, wrapping rollers in a carrier bag or using a 'brush mate' wet paintbrush storage system
• reading the label of the products you are using
• washing out emulsion paint tins and using them as paint kettles
• mixing together leftover paints and reusing them as undercoat
• clearly labelling and leaving unused paints on site for touching up
• securely storing tins containing water-based paint or paint residue, removing the lids and allowing the paint to harden before disposal
• reusing solvents and cleaning fluids after solids have settled
• investigating paint recycling schemes for leftover paint, such as 
• considering use of natural clay-based and linseed oil-based paints
• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• knowing how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

Decorators have specific issues to deal with because a lot of the material with which they work is potentially hazardous, including:

• solvent-based paints, varnishes, sealants, wood stains and wood preservers
• some border adhesives
• lead paint (and burnt-off lead paint)
• two-part fillers
• some mastics
• solvent-based paint remover
• brick cleaner
• spray paints
• lime wash
• fire-retardant paints

If you are unsure if your decorating materials are hazardous or not, check the label or ask the manufacturer for more detail. You must deal with all of these wastes carefully and comply with any legal requirements that apply - see managing hazardous substances.

Other issues of specific concern to decorators are:

• if your work produces unacceptable levels of dust and odour, the local council environmental health department can stop you working
• you must not allow water and chemicals from the washing of paint and painting equipment to enter surface water drains or to soak into the ground
• if you work in a domestic property, you can wash brushes in the sink if the property has a mains sewerage connection
• you must not dispose of liquid wastes to landfill, so check whether you can use surplus paint elsewhere before you decide to dispose of it

You must help to ensure that your decorating waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

You must make sure that gypsum-containing products, such as plasterboard, are sent to the correct type of landfill site. Plasterboard waste must be separated and sent to specially-designed facilities. The cost of this is substantial so you should make sure you reduce this waste.

It's estimated that 12 per cent of all plasterboard delivered to building sites in the United Kingdom is wasted without ever being used. The reasons for this include:

• over ordering
• poor handling (on delivery and on-site shifting) causing damage to sheets
• poor on-site storage
• careless work planning, resulting in unnecessary offcuts
• failure to separate material that could be reused or recycled
• project design changes
• lack of communication between different trades and sub-contractors

Reducing the amount of plasterboard you waste will lower your costs, increase your profits, help you to become more efficient and enable you to demonstrate the quality and environmental credentials of your work to customers.

Continual improvement programme

You should work with the main contractor to cut waste production through a five-step programme:

1. Measure how much plasterboard waste is produced. Ask why plasterboard waste is being produced, how you can improve performance and what current best practice is.
2. Benchmark to identify opportunities for change. Ask what the differences are between best practice and poor practice, whether there are any obvious reasons and what is needed to adopt best practice in other areas.
3. Communicate to everyone involved where you can make improvements and what they need to do. Find out who needs to know about the changes to current practices and how they should be informed.
4. Monitor progress to reduce waste against an agreed target. Ask how you can ensure that improvements are sustained and that poor practice does not come back, and whether changes have had a detrimental impact elsewhere.
5. Improve further by doing things even better. Review progress regularly and challenge existing best practice to reduce waste even more. Ask how much progress has been made and how things can be made even better. Make sure you involve other relevant work colleagues about how you can reduce waste further.

You should then return to step one to ensure that you continue to make improvements.

Measuring plasterboard use and wastage

There are two simple methods to measure wastage:

• Plasterboard recovery, such as using take-back bags, ensures plasterboard waste will be separated out from other wastes. You can record the amount produced each month - measured by weight or by the number of bags.
• Plot-lot ordering systems involve assembling the materials required for each plot at the merchant's premises. To ensure that the correct type and amount of materials are ordered, sub-contractors have to produce a 'bill of materials' or 'take-off' for each build type.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Being proactive in finding ways to eliminate waste can save you money as well as reduce your environmental impact. You could:

• work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment
• look for the shortest cabling route whenever possible - making sure you comply with wiring regulations
• recover and reuse lengths of wiring and cabling during and between projects
• avoid over-ordering, as this increases waste
• reduce your packaging, which can be a significant source of waste - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• recycle where you cannot eliminate or reduce waste - redundant cabling may be viewed as a valuable commodity by recycling businesses
• reuse or recycle cable drums - some organisations are prepared to pay for used pallets and drums and this will save you money and space in skips
• think about the types of waste you produce and whether you need to deal with them as hazardous waste - for example fluorescent tubes
• take steps to protect completed work so others cannot damage it
• work efficiently - for example reduce tails to a minimum and don't install more lights and sockets than are needed
• find out how much recycled content there is in the materials you use and trial those with a higher recycled content - for example plastic cable trunking
• encourage the use of low-energy lighting
• keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can result in damage and waste
• make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions
• work with your supply chain to purchase sustainable materials from local suppliers

Make sure you comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. You should store and deal with WEEE separately from other waste. This includes power tools, mobile phones, CCTV and alarm systems, computers and microwaves (but not the fabric of the building, such as lifts).

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

It's important that waste is properly separated on site into three main types - inert, non-hazardous and hazardous. Ensure you know and recognise the different types - ask your supervisor if you don't know. Make sure you have the right protective clothing and equipment.

You can help to reduce the site's environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• know about the products you are handling by reading the labels
• get the trades to finish, rather than wasting, mixed materials such as concrete, plaster and adhesives
• never throw away insulation - use all offcuts and excess insulation to fill any gaps
• send back pallets - they can be reused and should never be wasted in a skip
• separate waste - if you have space, do not mix non-hazardous and inert waste as this can prevent recycling and increase disposal costs
• pack skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aim to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• if your supplies are delivered in non-reusable dumpy bags, use the empty bags to separate your waste
• damp down dust with water when you are sweeping up - it helps to avoid impact on local air quality (but make sure you don't cause dirty water to run-off into drains and watercourses)
• know how you should handle hazardous waste
• know how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The problem of waste is particularly acute for those working with plaster and plasterboard. Up to 1.3 million tonnes of plasterboard waste is generated by the construction and refurbishment industry each year, and a proportion of all new plasterboard is wasted even before it is used.

This is a particular problem because plasterboard waste causes disposal problems. If it is mixed with biodegradable wastes - such as food - it can produce hydrogen sulphide, a major contributor to acid rain. You must make sure that any waste which contains gypsum (such as plaster and plasterboard) is properly separated and sent to specially-designed waste cells.

It is essential that you look at ways of reducing or eliminating plasterboard waste to avoid high disposal costs. You can do this by actively encouraging better design and good site practice, such as reusing offcuts. You can also reduce your environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• don't waste materials - plan jobs so that you use what you have on site and use all of the plaster you have mixed
• store materials carefully so they are not wasted by damage from impact or moisture
• protect work so others do not damage it - redoing work is very wasteful
• separate your waste so you do not contaminate other wastes
• make sure plaster washings do not contaminate groundwater

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Plumbers use scarce materials such as copper, steel, lead and iron, as well as installing heating systems and expensive equipment, such as boilers, which have a long-term effect on carbon dioxide emissions. This gives plumbers the opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on environmental issues.

There are a number of ways you can reduce waste and save money. You could:

• Work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment. For example, you could reuse lengths of pipework during and between projects.
• Avoid over ordering, as this increases waste.
• Think about the types of waste you produce and whether they need to be dealt with as hazardous waste.
• Make sure you recycle any waste - this applies to many plumbing materials including copper, steel, lead, cast iron and aluminium.
• Reduce your packaging waste - for example some pipework does not require any packaging at all and can be unloaded directly off the delivery vehicle.
• Consider alternative, shorter routes for pipework.
• Purchase pre-fabricated pipework - this will reduce waste generated on site and also cut the cost of labour as installation is much quicker.
• Speak to your suppliers to find out if they use returnable packaging - for example crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can cause considerable waste.
• Protect completed work so it is not damaged by others. 'Just-in-time' delivery for pre-fabricated pipework could increase available storage on site as well as reducing the likelihood of materials becoming damaged.
• Use materials with recycled content.
• Design pine-runs to use as few fittings as possible and save resources by fitting the minimum sizes of boiler, radiators and tanks.
• Use water-saving dual-flush systems and put hippo bags in existing cisterns to reduce water use.
• Insulate pipework to prevent heat loss and frost damage.
• Avoid flushing systems into surface water drains.
• Make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Some of the wastes produced from steelwork are considered hazardous, including fluorescent tubes and oily rags. You will need to dispose of these according to hazardous waste regulations.

Steelworkers can benefit from significant cost savings by reducing waste and environmental impacts:

• Consolidating loads can minimise deliveries to site and reduce fuel costs.
• Use bare steel instead of coated steel where possible - bare steel can be used while maintaining suitable levels of safety and durability.
• Over-specification, damage to materials and components, off-cuts and defects cause significant wastage of materials on construction sites.
• Steel manufactured off site is easily managed and can be produced to a high quality. This can help you reduce wastage and any waste that is generated can be collected, separated and reused or recycled.
• Just-in-time deliveries of steel construction products reduce the need for on-site storage of products and materials. This reduces the risk of damage to products stored on-site.
• Water-based acrylic or water-based epoxy zinc phosphate primers reduce solvent emissions and the production of hazardous waste.
• Depending on paint viscosity and tin size, typically 5 per cent is left in the tin. Where possible, empty the tin before disposing of it.
• For larger volume painting, consider dip or flood paint application which can result in less paint wastage than sprayer application.
• Regularly clean and replace the tip of your paint spray gun to ensure effective coverage. Check that you use the appropriate tip size to reduce overspray and apply the coat to specification.
• Reduce your packaging waste. Speak to your suppliers to find out if they can supply products in bulk. Also, find out if they use returnable packaging - eg crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Where possible, avoid over ordering as this increases waste.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Window, door and conservatory manufacturers and installers have a crucial role to play in reducing the environmental impacts of glass and glazing. This can be achieved by adopting best practice techniques for waste minimisation and good waste management.

Frame manufacturers can minimise waste by:

• Automating profile cutting operations. Fully automated profile cutting allows a wastage rate of around 5 per cent, and semi-automated cutting should generally achieve rates of up to 13 per cent. If your wastage rates are higher than 13 per cent, you should look into how to improve this.
• Recycling profile off-cuts. The major manufacturers generally offer take-back schemes, or you could find an independent recycler.
• Handling, cutting and storing glass with care.
• Recycling glass wherever possible - when looking for recycling outlets, first ask the manufacturers whether they accept glass waste. If not, find an independent glass recycler.
• Returning faulty or incorrectly sized insulating glass units directly to the manufacturer for disposal.
• Working with suppliers to implement a returnable packaging system with plastic crates. If this isn't possible, ask them to reduce the packaging they use - you could even make it a requirement of their supply contract.
• Separating cardboard and plastic packaging for a specialist recycler to collect. If this isn't practical, consider using a small compactor or baler for cardboard and plastic packaging to make the most of skip space. This could reduce the number of skips you need by up to 40 per cent.
• Ensuring that staff are aware of new waste minimisation measures, and the reasons for these. For example, installing different brightly-coloured and labelled bins for different materials could help people to separate waste for recycling.

As most waste produced by window and door manufacture is recyclable and often high value, you should be able to sell your waste to recyclers. If you are spending money to dispose of waste, you are probably not getting the best deal.

Window, door and conservatory installers can improve waste management by:

• Sending packaging waste (a large component of waste particularly from new-build sites) back to the yard, so that all packaging can be collected and recycled together.
• Separating hardcore into an inert waste skip.
• Sending timber to a community wood recycling scheme.
• Sending waste flat glass to a specialist recycler. For high specification off-cuts, you could actually be paid for your waste.
• Selling aluminium, lead and steel as scrap metal by weight.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Bricklayers' waste has particular problems, for example:

• water that's been in contact with cement powder or workable concrete can be highly alkaline and may need to be dealt with as hazardous waste
• concrete contains chromium, which is polluting to watercourses and groundwater
• washout water from trucks and mixers must never be allowed to enter storm water drains

For more information, see dealing with hazardous waste and preventing water pollution.

As a bricklayer, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact in a number of ways, including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste and checking whether the site you're working on is registered for hazardous waste
• reducing the amount of wasted materials - eg avoid throwing away mortar, cut bricks or insulation
• knowing the different waste types you produce and separating them when you can
• sending back pallets - don't waste space in a skip
• storing and reusing washout water, allowing the silt to settle and disposing of it responsibly
• knowing the products you use and reading any product labels
• using fletton commons as these use less energy to make than other bricks
• using blocks with a high percentage of recycled aggregate, eg thermalite
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• filling the perps (ends to bricks) to make walls more thermally efficient
• minimising the amount of water you use

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Carpenters and joiners have specific environmental issues to deal with. For example, there are many types of construction timber, all with different environmental impacts. Although natural timber can be sustainably produced and disposed of, it is not very durable (so it is treated with preservatives) or stable (so it is often bonded with glues to laminates). These chemicals can add significantly to the environmental impact of treated products, making timber recycling more difficult.

Knowing where your timber comes from helps you to understand its environmental impact. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme certifies that timber (both softwood and hardwood) comes from sustainable forests and not from the depletion of tropical rainforests - .

You can reduce your costs and environmental impact through a number of other methods including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• using materials carefully and keeping off-cuts for reuse
• using mechanical fixings where possible
• separating your waste
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aiming to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging
• making sure pallets are sent back to the manufacturer for reuse
• using fewer composite boards
• being aware that dry and wet rot and many boring insects only occur in damp timber - cure the damp and you can avoid problems
• being aware that insulation reduces the energy needed to warm and cool buildings
• investigating timber recycling schemes for leftover materials, such as the

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The costs of decorating can include wasteful use of raw materials, disposing of waste and extra costs for dealing with hazardous waste substances. Cutting decorating costs can make a big difference to how profitable your decorating contract will be.

Practical tips to save money when decorating

There are several ways in which decorators can save money and reduce the impact on the environmental, including:

• knowing the types of waste you produce
• reducing the cleaning of brushes and rollers by suspending brushes in water overnight, wrapping rollers in a carrier bag or using a 'brush mate' wet paintbrush storage system
• reading the label of the products you are using
• washing out emulsion paint tins and using them as paint kettles
• mixing together leftover paints and reusing them as undercoat
• clearly labelling and leaving unused paints on site for touching up
• securely storing tins containing water-based paint or paint residue, removing the lids and allowing the paint to harden before disposal
• reusing solvents and cleaning fluids after solids have settled
• investigating paint recycling schemes for leftover paint, such as 
• considering use of natural clay-based and linseed oil-based paints
• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• knowing how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

Decorators have specific issues to deal with because a lot of the material with which they work is potentially hazardous, including:

• solvent-based paints, varnishes, sealants, wood stains and wood preservers
• some border adhesives
• lead paint (and burnt-off lead paint)
• two-part fillers
• some mastics
• solvent-based paint remover
• brick cleaner
• spray paints
• lime wash
• fire-retardant paints

If you are unsure if your decorating materials are hazardous or not, check the label or ask the manufacturer for more detail. You must deal with all of these wastes carefully and comply with any legal requirements that apply - see managing hazardous substances.

Other issues of specific concern to decorators are:

• if your work produces unacceptable levels of dust and odour, the local council environmental health department can stop you working
• you must not allow water and chemicals from the washing of paint and painting equipment to enter surface water drains or to soak into the ground
• if you work in a domestic property, you can wash brushes in the sink if the property has a mains sewerage connection
• you must not dispose of liquid wastes to landfill, so check whether you can use surplus paint elsewhere before you decide to dispose of it

You must help to ensure that your decorating waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

You must make sure that gypsum-containing products, such as plasterboard, are sent to the correct type of landfill site. Plasterboard waste must be separated and sent to specially-designed facilities. The cost of this is substantial so you should make sure you reduce this waste.

It's estimated that 12 per cent of all plasterboard delivered to building sites in the United Kingdom is wasted without ever being used. The reasons for this include:

• over ordering
• poor handling (on delivery and on-site shifting) causing damage to sheets
• poor on-site storage
• careless work planning, resulting in unnecessary offcuts
• failure to separate material that could be reused or recycled
• project design changes
• lack of communication between different trades and sub-contractors

Reducing the amount of plasterboard you waste will lower your costs, increase your profits, help you to become more efficient and enable you to demonstrate the quality and environmental credentials of your work to customers.

Continual improvement programme

You should work with the main contractor to cut waste production through a five-step programme:

1. Measure how much plasterboard waste is produced. Ask why plasterboard waste is being produced, how you can improve performance and what current best practice is.
2. Benchmark to identify opportunities for change. Ask what the differences are between best practice and poor practice, whether there are any obvious reasons and what is needed to adopt best practice in other areas.
3. Communicate to everyone involved where you can make improvements and what they need to do. Find out who needs to know about the changes to current practices and how they should be informed.
4. Monitor progress to reduce waste against an agreed target. Ask how you can ensure that improvements are sustained and that poor practice does not come back, and whether changes have had a detrimental impact elsewhere.
5. Improve further by doing things even better. Review progress regularly and challenge existing best practice to reduce waste even more. Ask how much progress has been made and how things can be made even better. Make sure you involve other relevant work colleagues about how you can reduce waste further.

You should then return to step one to ensure that you continue to make improvements.

Measuring plasterboard use and wastage

There are two simple methods to measure wastage:

• Plasterboard recovery, such as using take-back bags, ensures plasterboard waste will be separated out from other wastes. You can record the amount produced each month - measured by weight or by the number of bags.
• Plot-lot ordering systems involve assembling the materials required for each plot at the merchant's premises. To ensure that the correct type and amount of materials are ordered, sub-contractors have to produce a 'bill of materials' or 'take-off' for each build type.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Being proactive in finding ways to eliminate waste can save you money as well as reduce your environmental impact. You could:

• work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment
• look for the shortest cabling route whenever possible - making sure you comply with wiring regulations
• recover and reuse lengths of wiring and cabling during and between projects
• avoid over-ordering, as this increases waste
• reduce your packaging, which can be a significant source of waste - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• recycle where you cannot eliminate or reduce waste - redundant cabling may be viewed as a valuable commodity by recycling businesses
• reuse or recycle cable drums - some organisations are prepared to pay for used pallets and drums and this will save you money and space in skips
• think about the types of waste you produce and whether you need to deal with them as hazardous waste - for example fluorescent tubes
• take steps to protect completed work so others cannot damage it
• work efficiently - for example reduce tails to a minimum and don't install more lights and sockets than are needed
• find out how much recycled content there is in the materials you use and trial those with a higher recycled content - for example plastic cable trunking
• encourage the use of low-energy lighting
• keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can result in damage and waste
• make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions
• work with your supply chain to purchase sustainable materials from local suppliers

Make sure you comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. You should store and deal with WEEE separately from other waste. This includes power tools, mobile phones, CCTV and alarm systems, computers and microwaves (but not the fabric of the building, such as lifts).

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

It's important that waste is properly separated on site into three main types - inert, non-hazardous and hazardous. Ensure you know and recognise the different types - ask your supervisor if you don't know. Make sure you have the right protective clothing and equipment.

You can help to reduce the site's environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• know about the products you are handling by reading the labels
• get the trades to finish, rather than wasting, mixed materials such as concrete, plaster and adhesives
• never throw away insulation - use all offcuts and excess insulation to fill any gaps
• send back pallets - they can be reused and should never be wasted in a skip
• separate waste - if you have space, do not mix non-hazardous and inert waste as this can prevent recycling and increase disposal costs
• pack skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aim to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• if your supplies are delivered in non-reusable dumpy bags, use the empty bags to separate your waste
• damp down dust with water when you are sweeping up - it helps to avoid impact on local air quality (but make sure you don't cause dirty water to run-off into drains and watercourses)
• know how you should handle hazardous waste
• know how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The problem of waste is particularly acute for those working with plaster and plasterboard. Up to 1.3 million tonnes of plasterboard waste is generated by the construction and refurbishment industry each year, and a proportion of all new plasterboard is wasted even before it is used.

This is a particular problem because plasterboard waste causes disposal problems. If it is mixed with biodegradable wastes - such as food - it can produce hydrogen sulphide, a major contributor to acid rain. You must make sure that any waste which contains gypsum (such as plaster and plasterboard) is properly separated and sent to specially-designed waste cells.

It is essential that you look at ways of reducing or eliminating plasterboard waste to avoid high disposal costs. You can do this by actively encouraging better design and good site practice, such as reusing offcuts. You can also reduce your environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• don't waste materials - plan jobs so that you use what you have on site and use all of the plaster you have mixed
• store materials carefully so they are not wasted by damage from impact or moisture
• protect work so others do not damage it - redoing work is very wasteful
• separate your waste so you do not contaminate other wastes
• make sure plaster washings do not contaminate groundwater

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Plumbers use scarce materials such as copper, steel, lead and iron, as well as installing heating systems and expensive equipment, such as boilers, which have a long-term effect on carbon dioxide emissions. This gives plumbers the opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on environmental issues.

There are a number of ways you can reduce waste and save money. You could:

• Work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment. For example, you could reuse lengths of pipework during and between projects.
• Avoid over ordering, as this increases waste.
• Think about the types of waste you produce and whether they need to be dealt with as hazardous waste.
• Make sure you recycle any waste - this applies to many plumbing materials including copper, steel, lead, cast iron and aluminium.
• Reduce your packaging waste - for example some pipework does not require any packaging at all and can be unloaded directly off the delivery vehicle.
• Consider alternative, shorter routes for pipework.
• Purchase pre-fabricated pipework - this will reduce waste generated on site and also cut the cost of labour as installation is much quicker.
• Speak to your suppliers to find out if they use returnable packaging - for example crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can cause considerable waste.
• Protect completed work so it is not damaged by others. 'Just-in-time' delivery for pre-fabricated pipework could increase available storage on site as well as reducing the likelihood of materials becoming damaged.
• Use materials with recycled content.
• Design pine-runs to use as few fittings as possible and save resources by fitting the minimum sizes of boiler, radiators and tanks.
• Use water-saving dual-flush systems and put hippo bags in existing cisterns to reduce water use.
• Insulate pipework to prevent heat loss and frost damage.
• Avoid flushing systems into surface water drains.
• Make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Some of the wastes produced from steelwork are considered hazardous, including fluorescent tubes and oily rags. You will need to dispose of these according to hazardous waste regulations.

Steelworkers can benefit from significant cost savings by reducing waste and environmental impacts:

• Consolidating loads can minimise deliveries to site and reduce fuel costs.
• Use bare steel instead of coated steel where possible - bare steel can be used while maintaining suitable levels of safety and durability.
• Over-specification, damage to materials and components, off-cuts and defects cause significant wastage of materials on construction sites.
• Steel manufactured off site is easily managed and can be produced to a high quality. This can help you reduce wastage and any waste that is generated can be collected, separated and reused or recycled.
• Just-in-time deliveries of steel construction products reduce the need for on-site storage of products and materials. This reduces the risk of damage to products stored on-site.
• Water-based acrylic or water-based epoxy zinc phosphate primers reduce solvent emissions and the production of hazardous waste.
• Depending on paint viscosity and tin size, typically 5 per cent is left in the tin. Where possible, empty the tin before disposing of it.
• For larger volume painting, consider dip or flood paint application which can result in less paint wastage than sprayer application.
• Regularly clean and replace the tip of your paint spray gun to ensure effective coverage. Check that you use the appropriate tip size to reduce overspray and apply the coat to specification.
• Reduce your packaging waste. Speak to your suppliers to find out if they can supply products in bulk. Also, find out if they use returnable packaging - eg crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Where possible, avoid over ordering as this increases waste.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Window, door and conservatory manufacturers and installers have a crucial role to play in reducing the environmental impacts of glass and glazing. This can be achieved by adopting best practice techniques for waste minimisation and good waste management.

Frame manufacturers can minimise waste by:

• Automating profile cutting operations. Fully automated profile cutting allows a wastage rate of around 5 per cent, and semi-automated cutting should generally achieve rates of up to 13 per cent. If your wastage rates are higher than 13 per cent, you should look into how to improve this.
• Recycling profile off-cuts. The major manufacturers generally offer take-back schemes, or you could find an independent recycler.
• Handling, cutting and storing glass with care.
• Recycling glass wherever possible - when looking for recycling outlets, first ask the manufacturers whether they accept glass waste. If not, find an independent glass recycler.
• Returning faulty or incorrectly sized insulating glass units directly to the manufacturer for disposal.
• Working with suppliers to implement a returnable packaging system with plastic crates. If this isn't possible, ask them to reduce the packaging they use - you could even make it a requirement of their supply contract.
• Separating cardboard and plastic packaging for a specialist recycler to collect. If this isn't practical, consider using a small compactor or baler for cardboard and plastic packaging to make the most of skip space. This could reduce the number of skips you need by up to 40 per cent.
• Ensuring that staff are aware of new waste minimisation measures, and the reasons for these. For example, installing different brightly-coloured and labelled bins for different materials could help people to separate waste for recycling.

As most waste produced by window and door manufacture is recyclable and often high value, you should be able to sell your waste to recyclers. If you are spending money to dispose of waste, you are probably not getting the best deal.

Window, door and conservatory installers can improve waste management by:

• Sending packaging waste (a large component of waste particularly from new-build sites) back to the yard, so that all packaging can be collected and recycled together.
• Separating hardcore into an inert waste skip.
• Sending timber to a community wood recycling scheme.
• Sending waste flat glass to a specialist recycler. For high specification off-cuts, you could actually be paid for your waste.
• Selling aluminium, lead and steel as scrap metal by weight.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Bricklayers' waste has particular problems, for example:

• water that's been in contact with cement powder or workable concrete can be highly alkaline and may need to be dealt with as hazardous waste
• concrete contains chromium, which is polluting to watercourses and groundwater
• washout water from trucks and mixers must never be allowed to enter storm water drains

For more information, see dealing with hazardous waste and preventing water pollution.

As a bricklayer, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact in a number of ways, including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste and checking whether the site you're working on is registered for hazardous waste
• reducing the amount of wasted materials - eg avoid throwing away mortar, cut bricks or insulation
• knowing the different waste types you produce and separating them when you can
• sending back pallets - don't waste space in a skip
• storing and reusing washout water, allowing the silt to settle and disposing of it responsibly
• knowing the products you use and reading any product labels
• using fletton commons as these use less energy to make than other bricks
• using blocks with a high percentage of recycled aggregate, eg thermalite
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• filling the perps (ends to bricks) to make walls more thermally efficient
• minimising the amount of water you use

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Carpenters and joiners have specific environmental issues to deal with. For example, there are many types of construction timber, all with different environmental impacts. Although natural timber can be sustainably produced and disposed of, it is not very durable (so it is treated with preservatives) or stable (so it is often bonded with glues to laminates). These chemicals can add significantly to the environmental impact of treated products, making timber recycling more difficult.

Knowing where your timber comes from helps you to understand its environmental impact. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme certifies that timber (both softwood and hardwood) comes from sustainable forests and not from the depletion of tropical rainforests - .

You can reduce your costs and environmental impact through a number of other methods including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• using materials carefully and keeping off-cuts for reuse
• using mechanical fixings where possible
• separating your waste
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aiming to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging
• making sure pallets are sent back to the manufacturer for reuse
• using fewer composite boards
• being aware that dry and wet rot and many boring insects only occur in damp timber - cure the damp and you can avoid problems
• being aware that insulation reduces the energy needed to warm and cool buildings
• investigating timber recycling schemes for leftover materials, such as the

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The costs of decorating can include wasteful use of raw materials, disposing of waste and extra costs for dealing with hazardous waste substances. Cutting decorating costs can make a big difference to how profitable your decorating contract will be.

Practical tips to save money when decorating

There are several ways in which decorators can save money and reduce the impact on the environmental, including:

• knowing the types of waste you produce
• reducing the cleaning of brushes and rollers by suspending brushes in water overnight, wrapping rollers in a carrier bag or using a 'brush mate' wet paintbrush storage system
• reading the label of the products you are using
• washing out emulsion paint tins and using them as paint kettles
• mixing together leftover paints and reusing them as undercoat
• clearly labelling and leaving unused paints on site for touching up
• securely storing tins containing water-based paint or paint residue, removing the lids and allowing the paint to harden before disposal
• reusing solvents and cleaning fluids after solids have settled
• investigating paint recycling schemes for leftover paint, such as 
• considering use of natural clay-based and linseed oil-based paints
• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• knowing how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

Decorators have specific issues to deal with because a lot of the material with which they work is potentially hazardous, including:

• solvent-based paints, varnishes, sealants, wood stains and wood preservers
• some border adhesives
• lead paint (and burnt-off lead paint)
• two-part fillers
• some mastics
• solvent-based paint remover
• brick cleaner
• spray paints
• lime wash
• fire-retardant paints

If you are unsure if your decorating materials are hazardous or not, check the label or ask the manufacturer for more detail. You must deal with all of these wastes carefully and comply with any legal requirements that apply - see managing hazardous substances.

Other issues of specific concern to decorators are:

• if your work produces unacceptable levels of dust and odour, the local council environmental health department can stop you working
• you must not allow water and chemicals from the washing of paint and painting equipment to enter surface water drains or to soak into the ground
• if you work in a domestic property, you can wash brushes in the sink if the property has a mains sewerage connection
• you must not dispose of liquid wastes to landfill, so check whether you can use surplus paint elsewhere before you decide to dispose of it

You must help to ensure that your decorating waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

You must make sure that gypsum-containing products, such as plasterboard, are sent to the correct type of landfill site. Plasterboard waste must be separated and sent to specially-designed facilities. The cost of this is substantial so you should make sure you reduce this waste.

It's estimated that 12 per cent of all plasterboard delivered to building sites in the United Kingdom is wasted without ever being used. The reasons for this include:

• over ordering
• poor handling (on delivery and on-site shifting) causing damage to sheets
• poor on-site storage
• careless work planning, resulting in unnecessary offcuts
• failure to separate material that could be reused or recycled
• project design changes
• lack of communication between different trades and sub-contractors

Reducing the amount of plasterboard you waste will lower your costs, increase your profits, help you to become more efficient and enable you to demonstrate the quality and environmental credentials of your work to customers.

Continual improvement programme

You should work with the main contractor to cut waste production through a five-step programme:

1. Measure how much plasterboard waste is produced. Ask why plasterboard waste is being produced, how you can improve performance and what current best practice is.
2. Benchmark to identify opportunities for change. Ask what the differences are between best practice and poor practice, whether there are any obvious reasons and what is needed to adopt best practice in other areas.
3. Communicate to everyone involved where you can make improvements and what they need to do. Find out who needs to know about the changes to current practices and how they should be informed.
4. Monitor progress to reduce waste against an agreed target. Ask how you can ensure that improvements are sustained and that poor practice does not come back, and whether changes have had a detrimental impact elsewhere.
5. Improve further by doing things even better. Review progress regularly and challenge existing best practice to reduce waste even more. Ask how much progress has been made and how things can be made even better. Make sure you involve other relevant work colleagues about how you can reduce waste further.

You should then return to step one to ensure that you continue to make improvements.

Measuring plasterboard use and wastage

There are two simple methods to measure wastage:

• Plasterboard recovery, such as using take-back bags, ensures plasterboard waste will be separated out from other wastes. You can record the amount produced each month - measured by weight or by the number of bags.
• Plot-lot ordering systems involve assembling the materials required for each plot at the merchant's premises. To ensure that the correct type and amount of materials are ordered, sub-contractors have to produce a 'bill of materials' or 'take-off' for each build type.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Being proactive in finding ways to eliminate waste can save you money as well as reduce your environmental impact. You could:

• work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment
• look for the shortest cabling route whenever possible - making sure you comply with wiring regulations
• recover and reuse lengths of wiring and cabling during and between projects
• avoid over-ordering, as this increases waste
• reduce your packaging, which can be a significant source of waste - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• recycle where you cannot eliminate or reduce waste - redundant cabling may be viewed as a valuable commodity by recycling businesses
• reuse or recycle cable drums - some organisations are prepared to pay for used pallets and drums and this will save you money and space in skips
• think about the types of waste you produce and whether you need to deal with them as hazardous waste - for example fluorescent tubes
• take steps to protect completed work so others cannot damage it
• work efficiently - for example reduce tails to a minimum and don't install more lights and sockets than are needed
• find out how much recycled content there is in the materials you use and trial those with a higher recycled content - for example plastic cable trunking
• encourage the use of low-energy lighting
• keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can result in damage and waste
• make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions
• work with your supply chain to purchase sustainable materials from local suppliers

Make sure you comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. You should store and deal with WEEE separately from other waste. This includes power tools, mobile phones, CCTV and alarm systems, computers and microwaves (but not the fabric of the building, such as lifts).

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

It's important that waste is properly separated on site into three main types - inert, non-hazardous and hazardous. Ensure you know and recognise the different types - ask your supervisor if you don't know. Make sure you have the right protective clothing and equipment.

You can help to reduce the site's environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• know about the products you are handling by reading the labels
• get the trades to finish, rather than wasting, mixed materials such as concrete, plaster and adhesives
• never throw away insulation - use all offcuts and excess insulation to fill any gaps
• send back pallets - they can be reused and should never be wasted in a skip
• separate waste - if you have space, do not mix non-hazardous and inert waste as this can prevent recycling and increase disposal costs
• pack skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aim to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• if your supplies are delivered in non-reusable dumpy bags, use the empty bags to separate your waste
• damp down dust with water when you are sweeping up - it helps to avoid impact on local air quality (but make sure you don't cause dirty water to run-off into drains and watercourses)
• know how you should handle hazardous waste
• know how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The problem of waste is particularly acute for those working with plaster and plasterboard. Up to 1.3 million tonnes of plasterboard waste is generated by the construction and refurbishment industry each year, and a proportion of all new plasterboard is wasted even before it is used.

This is a particular problem because plasterboard waste causes disposal problems. If it is mixed with biodegradable wastes - such as food - it can produce hydrogen sulphide, a major contributor to acid rain. You must make sure that any waste which contains gypsum (such as plaster and plasterboard) is properly separated and sent to specially-designed waste cells.

It is essential that you look at ways of reducing or eliminating plasterboard waste to avoid high disposal costs. You can do this by actively encouraging better design and good site practice, such as reusing offcuts. You can also reduce your environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• don't waste materials - plan jobs so that you use what you have on site and use all of the plaster you have mixed
• store materials carefully so they are not wasted by damage from impact or moisture
• protect work so others do not damage it - redoing work is very wasteful
• separate your waste so you do not contaminate other wastes
• make sure plaster washings do not contaminate groundwater

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Plumbers use scarce materials such as copper, steel, lead and iron, as well as installing heating systems and expensive equipment, such as boilers, which have a long-term effect on carbon dioxide emissions. This gives plumbers the opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on environmental issues.

There are a number of ways you can reduce waste and save money. You could:

• Work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment. For example, you could reuse lengths of pipework during and between projects.
• Avoid over ordering, as this increases waste.
• Think about the types of waste you produce and whether they need to be dealt with as hazardous waste.
• Make sure you recycle any waste - this applies to many plumbing materials including copper, steel, lead, cast iron and aluminium.
• Reduce your packaging waste - for example some pipework does not require any packaging at all and can be unloaded directly off the delivery vehicle.
• Consider alternative, shorter routes for pipework.
• Purchase pre-fabricated pipework - this will reduce waste generated on site and also cut the cost of labour as installation is much quicker.
• Speak to your suppliers to find out if they use returnable packaging - for example crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can cause considerable waste.
• Protect completed work so it is not damaged by others. 'Just-in-time' delivery for pre-fabricated pipework could increase available storage on site as well as reducing the likelihood of materials becoming damaged.
• Use materials with recycled content.
• Design pine-runs to use as few fittings as possible and save resources by fitting the minimum sizes of boiler, radiators and tanks.
• Use water-saving dual-flush systems and put hippo bags in existing cisterns to reduce water use.
• Insulate pipework to prevent heat loss and frost damage.
• Avoid flushing systems into surface water drains.
• Make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Some of the wastes produced from steelwork are considered hazardous, including fluorescent tubes and oily rags. You will need to dispose of these according to hazardous waste regulations.

Steelworkers can benefit from significant cost savings by reducing waste and environmental impacts:

• Consolidating loads can minimise deliveries to site and reduce fuel costs.
• Use bare steel instead of coated steel where possible - bare steel can be used while maintaining suitable levels of safety and durability.
• Over-specification, damage to materials and components, off-cuts and defects cause significant wastage of materials on construction sites.
• Steel manufactured off site is easily managed and can be produced to a high quality. This can help you reduce wastage and any waste that is generated can be collected, separated and reused or recycled.
• Just-in-time deliveries of steel construction products reduce the need for on-site storage of products and materials. This reduces the risk of damage to products stored on-site.
• Water-based acrylic or water-based epoxy zinc phosphate primers reduce solvent emissions and the production of hazardous waste.
• Depending on paint viscosity and tin size, typically 5 per cent is left in the tin. Where possible, empty the tin before disposing of it.
• For larger volume painting, consider dip or flood paint application which can result in less paint wastage than sprayer application.
• Regularly clean and replace the tip of your paint spray gun to ensure effective coverage. Check that you use the appropriate tip size to reduce overspray and apply the coat to specification.
• Reduce your packaging waste. Speak to your suppliers to find out if they can supply products in bulk. Also, find out if they use returnable packaging - eg crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Where possible, avoid over ordering as this increases waste.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Window, door and conservatory manufacturers and installers have a crucial role to play in reducing the environmental impacts of glass and glazing. This can be achieved by adopting best practice techniques for waste minimisation and good waste management.

Frame manufacturers can minimise waste by:

• Automating profile cutting operations. Fully automated profile cutting allows a wastage rate of around 5 per cent, and semi-automated cutting should generally achieve rates of up to 13 per cent. If your wastage rates are higher than 13 per cent, you should look into how to improve this.
• Recycling profile off-cuts. The major manufacturers generally offer take-back schemes, or you could find an independent recycler.
• Handling, cutting and storing glass with care.
• Recycling glass wherever possible - when looking for recycling outlets, first ask the manufacturers whether they accept glass waste. If not, find an independent glass recycler.
• Returning faulty or incorrectly sized insulating glass units directly to the manufacturer for disposal.
• Working with suppliers to implement a returnable packaging system with plastic crates. If this isn't possible, ask them to reduce the packaging they use - you could even make it a requirement of their supply contract.
• Separating cardboard and plastic packaging for a specialist recycler to collect. If this isn't practical, consider using a small compactor or baler for cardboard and plastic packaging to make the most of skip space. This could reduce the number of skips you need by up to 40 per cent.
• Ensuring that staff are aware of new waste minimisation measures, and the reasons for these. For example, installing different brightly-coloured and labelled bins for different materials could help people to separate waste for recycling.

As most waste produced by window and door manufacture is recyclable and often high value, you should be able to sell your waste to recyclers. If you are spending money to dispose of waste, you are probably not getting the best deal.

Window, door and conservatory installers can improve waste management by:

• Sending packaging waste (a large component of waste particularly from new-build sites) back to the yard, so that all packaging can be collected and recycled together.
• Separating hardcore into an inert waste skip.
• Sending timber to a community wood recycling scheme.
• Sending waste flat glass to a specialist recycler. For high specification off-cuts, you could actually be paid for your waste.
• Selling aluminium, lead and steel as scrap metal by weight.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Bricklayers' waste has particular problems, for example:

• water that's been in contact with cement powder or workable concrete can be highly alkaline and may need to be dealt with as hazardous waste
• concrete contains chromium, which is polluting to watercourses and groundwater
• washout water from trucks and mixers must never be allowed to enter storm water drains

For more information, see dealing with hazardous waste and preventing water pollution.

As a bricklayer, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact in a number of ways, including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste and checking whether the site you're working on is registered for hazardous waste
• reducing the amount of wasted materials - eg avoid throwing away mortar, cut bricks or insulation
• knowing the different waste types you produce and separating them when you can
• sending back pallets - don't waste space in a skip
• storing and reusing washout water, allowing the silt to settle and disposing of it responsibly
• knowing the products you use and reading any product labels
• using fletton commons as these use less energy to make than other bricks
• using blocks with a high percentage of recycled aggregate, eg thermalite
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• filling the perps (ends to bricks) to make walls more thermally efficient
• minimising the amount of water you use

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Carpenters and joiners have specific environmental issues to deal with. For example, there are many types of construction timber, all with different environmental impacts. Although natural timber can be sustainably produced and disposed of, it is not very durable (so it is treated with preservatives) or stable (so it is often bonded with glues to laminates). These chemicals can add significantly to the environmental impact of treated products, making timber recycling more difficult.

Knowing where your timber comes from helps you to understand its environmental impact. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme certifies that timber (both softwood and hardwood) comes from sustainable forests and not from the depletion of tropical rainforests - .

You can reduce your costs and environmental impact through a number of other methods including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• using materials carefully and keeping off-cuts for reuse
• using mechanical fixings where possible
• separating your waste
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aiming to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging
• making sure pallets are sent back to the manufacturer for reuse
• using fewer composite boards
• being aware that dry and wet rot and many boring insects only occur in damp timber - cure the damp and you can avoid problems
• being aware that insulation reduces the energy needed to warm and cool buildings
• investigating timber recycling schemes for leftover materials, such as the

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The costs of decorating can include wasteful use of raw materials, disposing of waste and extra costs for dealing with hazardous waste substances. Cutting decorating costs can make a big difference to how profitable your decorating contract will be.

Practical tips to save money when decorating

There are several ways in which decorators can save money and reduce the impact on the environmental, including:

• knowing the types of waste you produce
• reducing the cleaning of brushes and rollers by suspending brushes in water overnight, wrapping rollers in a carrier bag or using a 'brush mate' wet paintbrush storage system
• reading the label of the products you are using
• washing out emulsion paint tins and using them as paint kettles
• mixing together leftover paints and reusing them as undercoat
• clearly labelling and leaving unused paints on site for touching up
• securely storing tins containing water-based paint or paint residue, removing the lids and allowing the paint to harden before disposal
• reusing solvents and cleaning fluids after solids have settled
• investigating paint recycling schemes for leftover paint, such as 
• considering use of natural clay-based and linseed oil-based paints
• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• knowing how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

Decorators have specific issues to deal with because a lot of the material with which they work is potentially hazardous, including:

• solvent-based paints, varnishes, sealants, wood stains and wood preservers
• some border adhesives
• lead paint (and burnt-off lead paint)
• two-part fillers
• some mastics
• solvent-based paint remover
• brick cleaner
• spray paints
• lime wash
• fire-retardant paints

If you are unsure if your decorating materials are hazardous or not, check the label or ask the manufacturer for more detail. You must deal with all of these wastes carefully and comply with any legal requirements that apply - see managing hazardous substances.

Other issues of specific concern to decorators are:

• if your work produces unacceptable levels of dust and odour, the local council environmental health department can stop you working
• you must not allow water and chemicals from the washing of paint and painting equipment to enter surface water drains or to soak into the ground
• if you work in a domestic property, you can wash brushes in the sink if the property has a mains sewerage connection
• you must not dispose of liquid wastes to landfill, so check whether you can use surplus paint elsewhere before you decide to dispose of it

You must help to ensure that your decorating waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

You must make sure that gypsum-containing products, such as plasterboard, are sent to the correct type of landfill site. Plasterboard waste must be separated and sent to specially-designed facilities. The cost of this is substantial so you should make sure you reduce this waste.

It's estimated that 12 per cent of all plasterboard delivered to building sites in the United Kingdom is wasted without ever being used. The reasons for this include:

• over ordering
• poor handling (on delivery and on-site shifting) causing damage to sheets
• poor on-site storage
• careless work planning, resulting in unnecessary offcuts
• failure to separate material that could be reused or recycled
• project design changes
• lack of communication between different trades and sub-contractors

Reducing the amount of plasterboard you waste will lower your costs, increase your profits, help you to become more efficient and enable you to demonstrate the quality and environmental credentials of your work to customers.

Continual improvement programme

You should work with the main contractor to cut waste production through a five-step programme:

1. Measure how much plasterboard waste is produced. Ask why plasterboard waste is being produced, how you can improve performance and what current best practice is.
2. Benchmark to identify opportunities for change. Ask what the differences are between best practice and poor practice, whether there are any obvious reasons and what is needed to adopt best practice in other areas.
3. Communicate to everyone involved where you can make improvements and what they need to do. Find out who needs to know about the changes to current practices and how they should be informed.
4. Monitor progress to reduce waste against an agreed target. Ask how you can ensure that improvements are sustained and that poor practice does not come back, and whether changes have had a detrimental impact elsewhere.
5. Improve further by doing things even better. Review progress regularly and challenge existing best practice to reduce waste even more. Ask how much progress has been made and how things can be made even better. Make sure you involve other relevant work colleagues about how you can reduce waste further.

You should then return to step one to ensure that you continue to make improvements.

Measuring plasterboard use and wastage

There are two simple methods to measure wastage:

• Plasterboard recovery, such as using take-back bags, ensures plasterboard waste will be separated out from other wastes. You can record the amount produced each month - measured by weight or by the number of bags.
• Plot-lot ordering systems involve assembling the materials required for each plot at the merchant's premises. To ensure that the correct type and amount of materials are ordered, sub-contractors have to produce a 'bill of materials' or 'take-off' for each build type.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Being proactive in finding ways to eliminate waste can save you money as well as reduce your environmental impact. You could:

• work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment
• look for the shortest cabling route whenever possible - making sure you comply with wiring regulations
• recover and reuse lengths of wiring and cabling during and between projects
• avoid over-ordering, as this increases waste
• reduce your packaging, which can be a significant source of waste - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• recycle where you cannot eliminate or reduce waste - redundant cabling may be viewed as a valuable commodity by recycling businesses
• reuse or recycle cable drums - some organisations are prepared to pay for used pallets and drums and this will save you money and space in skips
• think about the types of waste you produce and whether you need to deal with them as hazardous waste - for example fluorescent tubes
• take steps to protect completed work so others cannot damage it
• work efficiently - for example reduce tails to a minimum and don't install more lights and sockets than are needed
• find out how much recycled content there is in the materials you use and trial those with a higher recycled content - for example plastic cable trunking
• encourage the use of low-energy lighting
• keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can result in damage and waste
• make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions
• work with your supply chain to purchase sustainable materials from local suppliers

Make sure you comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. You should store and deal with WEEE separately from other waste. This includes power tools, mobile phones, CCTV and alarm systems, computers and microwaves (but not the fabric of the building, such as lifts).

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

It's important that waste is properly separated on site into three main types - inert, non-hazardous and hazardous. Ensure you know and recognise the different types - ask your supervisor if you don't know. Make sure you have the right protective clothing and equipment.

You can help to reduce the site's environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• know about the products you are handling by reading the labels
• get the trades to finish, rather than wasting, mixed materials such as concrete, plaster and adhesives
• never throw away insulation - use all offcuts and excess insulation to fill any gaps
• send back pallets - they can be reused and should never be wasted in a skip
• separate waste - if you have space, do not mix non-hazardous and inert waste as this can prevent recycling and increase disposal costs
• pack skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aim to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• if your supplies are delivered in non-reusable dumpy bags, use the empty bags to separate your waste
• damp down dust with water when you are sweeping up - it helps to avoid impact on local air quality (but make sure you don't cause dirty water to run-off into drains and watercourses)
• know how you should handle hazardous waste
• know how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The problem of waste is particularly acute for those working with plaster and plasterboard. Up to 1.3 million tonnes of plasterboard waste is generated by the construction and refurbishment industry each year, and a proportion of all new plasterboard is wasted even before it is used.

This is a particular problem because plasterboard waste causes disposal problems. If it is mixed with biodegradable wastes - such as food - it can produce hydrogen sulphide, a major contributor to acid rain. You must make sure that any waste which contains gypsum (such as plaster and plasterboard) is properly separated and sent to specially-designed waste cells.

It is essential that you look at ways of reducing or eliminating plasterboard waste to avoid high disposal costs. You can do this by actively encouraging better design and good site practice, such as reusing offcuts. You can also reduce your environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• don't waste materials - plan jobs so that you use what you have on site and use all of the plaster you have mixed
• store materials carefully so they are not wasted by damage from impact or moisture
• protect work so others do not damage it - redoing work is very wasteful
• separate your waste so you do not contaminate other wastes
• make sure plaster washings do not contaminate groundwater

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Plumbers use scarce materials such as copper, steel, lead and iron, as well as installing heating systems and expensive equipment, such as boilers, which have a long-term effect on carbon dioxide emissions. This gives plumbers the opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on environmental issues.

There are a number of ways you can reduce waste and save money. You could:

• Work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment. For example, you could reuse lengths of pipework during and between projects.
• Avoid over ordering, as this increases waste.
• Think about the types of waste you produce and whether they need to be dealt with as hazardous waste.
• Make sure you recycle any waste - this applies to many plumbing materials including copper, steel, lead, cast iron and aluminium.
• Reduce your packaging waste - for example some pipework does not require any packaging at all and can be unloaded directly off the delivery vehicle.
• Consider alternative, shorter routes for pipework.
• Purchase pre-fabricated pipework - this will reduce waste generated on site and also cut the cost of labour as installation is much quicker.
• Speak to your suppliers to find out if they use returnable packaging - for example crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can cause considerable waste.
• Protect completed work so it is not damaged by others. 'Just-in-time' delivery for pre-fabricated pipework could increase available storage on site as well as reducing the likelihood of materials becoming damaged.
• Use materials with recycled content.
• Design pine-runs to use as few fittings as possible and save resources by fitting the minimum sizes of boiler, radiators and tanks.
• Use water-saving dual-flush systems and put hippo bags in existing cisterns to reduce water use.
• Insulate pipework to prevent heat loss and frost damage.
• Avoid flushing systems into surface water drains.
• Make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Some of the wastes produced from steelwork are considered hazardous, including fluorescent tubes and oily rags. You will need to dispose of these according to hazardous waste regulations.

Steelworkers can benefit from significant cost savings by reducing waste and environmental impacts:

• Consolidating loads can minimise deliveries to site and reduce fuel costs.
• Use bare steel instead of coated steel where possible - bare steel can be used while maintaining suitable levels of safety and durability.
• Over-specification, damage to materials and components, off-cuts and defects cause significant wastage of materials on construction sites.
• Steel manufactured off site is easily managed and can be produced to a high quality. This can help you reduce wastage and any waste that is generated can be collected, separated and reused or recycled.
• Just-in-time deliveries of steel construction products reduce the need for on-site storage of products and materials. This reduces the risk of damage to products stored on-site.
• Water-based acrylic or water-based epoxy zinc phosphate primers reduce solvent emissions and the production of hazardous waste.
• Depending on paint viscosity and tin size, typically 5 per cent is left in the tin. Where possible, empty the tin before disposing of it.
• For larger volume painting, consider dip or flood paint application which can result in less paint wastage than sprayer application.
• Regularly clean and replace the tip of your paint spray gun to ensure effective coverage. Check that you use the appropriate tip size to reduce overspray and apply the coat to specification.
• Reduce your packaging waste. Speak to your suppliers to find out if they can supply products in bulk. Also, find out if they use returnable packaging - eg crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Where possible, avoid over ordering as this increases waste.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Window, door and conservatory manufacturers and installers have a crucial role to play in reducing the environmental impacts of glass and glazing. This can be achieved by adopting best practice techniques for waste minimisation and good waste management.

Frame manufacturers can minimise waste by:

• Automating profile cutting operations. Fully automated profile cutting allows a wastage rate of around 5 per cent, and semi-automated cutting should generally achieve rates of up to 13 per cent. If your wastage rates are higher than 13 per cent, you should look into how to improve this.
• Recycling profile off-cuts. The major manufacturers generally offer take-back schemes, or you could find an independent recycler.
• Handling, cutting and storing glass with care.
• Recycling glass wherever possible - when looking for recycling outlets, first ask the manufacturers whether they accept glass waste. If not, find an independent glass recycler.
• Returning faulty or incorrectly sized insulating glass units directly to the manufacturer for disposal.
• Working with suppliers to implement a returnable packaging system with plastic crates. If this isn't possible, ask them to reduce the packaging they use - you could even make it a requirement of their supply contract.
• Separating cardboard and plastic packaging for a specialist recycler to collect. If this isn't practical, consider using a small compactor or baler for cardboard and plastic packaging to make the most of skip space. This could reduce the number of skips you need by up to 40 per cent.
• Ensuring that staff are aware of new waste minimisation measures, and the reasons for these. For example, installing different brightly-coloured and labelled bins for different materials could help people to separate waste for recycling.

As most waste produced by window and door manufacture is recyclable and often high value, you should be able to sell your waste to recyclers. If you are spending money to dispose of waste, you are probably not getting the best deal.

Window, door and conservatory installers can improve waste management by:

• Sending packaging waste (a large component of waste particularly from new-build sites) back to the yard, so that all packaging can be collected and recycled together.
• Separating hardcore into an inert waste skip.
• Sending timber to a community wood recycling scheme.
• Sending waste flat glass to a specialist recycler. For high specification off-cuts, you could actually be paid for your waste.
• Selling aluminium, lead and steel as scrap metal by weight.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Bricklayers' waste has particular problems, for example:

• water that's been in contact with cement powder or workable concrete can be highly alkaline and may need to be dealt with as hazardous waste
• concrete contains chromium, which is polluting to watercourses and groundwater
• washout water from trucks and mixers must never be allowed to enter storm water drains

For more information, see dealing with hazardous waste and preventing water pollution.

As a bricklayer, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact in a number of ways, including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste and checking whether the site you're working on is registered for hazardous waste
• reducing the amount of wasted materials - eg avoid throwing away mortar, cut bricks or insulation
• knowing the different waste types you produce and separating them when you can
• sending back pallets - don't waste space in a skip
• storing and reusing washout water, allowing the silt to settle and disposing of it responsibly
• knowing the products you use and reading any product labels
• using fletton commons as these use less energy to make than other bricks
• using blocks with a high percentage of recycled aggregate, eg thermalite
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• filling the perps (ends to bricks) to make walls more thermally efficient
• minimising the amount of water you use

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Carpenters and joiners have specific environmental issues to deal with. For example, there are many types of construction timber, all with different environmental impacts. Although natural timber can be sustainably produced and disposed of, it is not very durable (so it is treated with preservatives) or stable (so it is often bonded with glues to laminates). These chemicals can add significantly to the environmental impact of treated products, making timber recycling more difficult.

Knowing where your timber comes from helps you to understand its environmental impact. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme certifies that timber (both softwood and hardwood) comes from sustainable forests and not from the depletion of tropical rainforests - .

You can reduce your costs and environmental impact through a number of other methods including:

• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• using materials carefully and keeping off-cuts for reuse
• using mechanical fixings where possible
• separating your waste
• packing skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aiming to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging
• making sure pallets are sent back to the manufacturer for reuse
• using fewer composite boards
• being aware that dry and wet rot and many boring insects only occur in damp timber - cure the damp and you can avoid problems
• being aware that insulation reduces the energy needed to warm and cool buildings
• investigating timber recycling schemes for leftover materials, such as the

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The costs of decorating can include wasteful use of raw materials, disposing of waste and extra costs for dealing with hazardous waste substances. Cutting decorating costs can make a big difference to how profitable your decorating contract will be.

Practical tips to save money when decorating

There are several ways in which decorators can save money and reduce the impact on the environmental, including:

• knowing the types of waste you produce
• reducing the cleaning of brushes and rollers by suspending brushes in water overnight, wrapping rollers in a carrier bag or using a 'brush mate' wet paintbrush storage system
• reading the label of the products you are using
• washing out emulsion paint tins and using them as paint kettles
• mixing together leftover paints and reusing them as undercoat
• clearly labelling and leaving unused paints on site for touching up
• securely storing tins containing water-based paint or paint residue, removing the lids and allowing the paint to harden before disposal
• reusing solvents and cleaning fluids after solids have settled
• investigating paint recycling schemes for leftover paint, such as 
• considering use of natural clay-based and linseed oil-based paints
• knowing how to handle hazardous waste
• knowing how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

Decorators have specific issues to deal with because a lot of the material with which they work is potentially hazardous, including:

• solvent-based paints, varnishes, sealants, wood stains and wood preservers
• some border adhesives
• lead paint (and burnt-off lead paint)
• two-part fillers
• some mastics
• solvent-based paint remover
• brick cleaner
• spray paints
• lime wash
• fire-retardant paints

If you are unsure if your decorating materials are hazardous or not, check the label or ask the manufacturer for more detail. You must deal with all of these wastes carefully and comply with any legal requirements that apply - see managing hazardous substances.

Other issues of specific concern to decorators are:

• if your work produces unacceptable levels of dust and odour, the local council environmental health department can stop you working
• you must not allow water and chemicals from the washing of paint and painting equipment to enter surface water drains or to soak into the ground
• if you work in a domestic property, you can wash brushes in the sink if the property has a mains sewerage connection
• you must not dispose of liquid wastes to landfill, so check whether you can use surplus paint elsewhere before you decide to dispose of it

You must help to ensure that your decorating waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

You must make sure that gypsum-containing products, such as plasterboard, are sent to the correct type of landfill site. Plasterboard waste must be separated and sent to specially-designed facilities. The cost of this is substantial so you should make sure you reduce this waste.

It's estimated that 12 per cent of all plasterboard delivered to building sites in the United Kingdom is wasted without ever being used. The reasons for this include:

• over ordering
• poor handling (on delivery and on-site shifting) causing damage to sheets
• poor on-site storage
• careless work planning, resulting in unnecessary offcuts
• failure to separate material that could be reused or recycled
• project design changes
• lack of communication between different trades and sub-contractors

Reducing the amount of plasterboard you waste will lower your costs, increase your profits, help you to become more efficient and enable you to demonstrate the quality and environmental credentials of your work to customers.

Continual improvement programme

You should work with the main contractor to cut waste production through a five-step programme:

1. Measure how much plasterboard waste is produced. Ask why plasterboard waste is being produced, how you can improve performance and what current best practice is.
2. Benchmark to identify opportunities for change. Ask what the differences are between best practice and poor practice, whether there are any obvious reasons and what is needed to adopt best practice in other areas.
3. Communicate to everyone involved where you can make improvements and what they need to do. Find out who needs to know about the changes to current practices and how they should be informed.
4. Monitor progress to reduce waste against an agreed target. Ask how you can ensure that improvements are sustained and that poor practice does not come back, and whether changes have had a detrimental impact elsewhere.
5. Improve further by doing things even better. Review progress regularly and challenge existing best practice to reduce waste even more. Ask how much progress has been made and how things can be made even better. Make sure you involve other relevant work colleagues about how you can reduce waste further.

You should then return to step one to ensure that you continue to make improvements.

Measuring plasterboard use and wastage

There are two simple methods to measure wastage:

• Plasterboard recovery, such as using take-back bags, ensures plasterboard waste will be separated out from other wastes. You can record the amount produced each month - measured by weight or by the number of bags.
• Plot-lot ordering systems involve assembling the materials required for each plot at the merchant's premises. To ensure that the correct type and amount of materials are ordered, sub-contractors have to produce a 'bill of materials' or 'take-off' for each build type.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Being proactive in finding ways to eliminate waste can save you money as well as reduce your environmental impact. You could:

• work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment
• look for the shortest cabling route whenever possible - making sure you comply with wiring regulations
• recover and reuse lengths of wiring and cabling during and between projects
• avoid over-ordering, as this increases waste
• reduce your packaging, which can be a significant source of waste - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• recycle where you cannot eliminate or reduce waste - redundant cabling may be viewed as a valuable commodity by recycling businesses
• reuse or recycle cable drums - some organisations are prepared to pay for used pallets and drums and this will save you money and space in skips
• think about the types of waste you produce and whether you need to deal with them as hazardous waste - for example fluorescent tubes
• take steps to protect completed work so others cannot damage it
• work efficiently - for example reduce tails to a minimum and don't install more lights and sockets than are needed
• find out how much recycled content there is in the materials you use and trial those with a higher recycled content - for example plastic cable trunking
• encourage the use of low-energy lighting
• keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can result in damage and waste
• make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions
• work with your supply chain to purchase sustainable materials from local suppliers

Make sure you comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. You should store and deal with WEEE separately from other waste. This includes power tools, mobile phones, CCTV and alarm systems, computers and microwaves (but not the fabric of the building, such as lifts).

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

It's important that waste is properly separated on site into three main types - inert, non-hazardous and hazardous. Ensure you know and recognise the different types - ask your supervisor if you don't know. Make sure you have the right protective clothing and equipment.

You can help to reduce the site's environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• know about the products you are handling by reading the labels
• get the trades to finish, rather than wasting, mixed materials such as concrete, plaster and adhesives
• never throw away insulation - use all offcuts and excess insulation to fill any gaps
• send back pallets - they can be reused and should never be wasted in a skip
• separate waste - if you have space, do not mix non-hazardous and inert waste as this can prevent recycling and increase disposal costs
• pack skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
• aim to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
• if your supplies are delivered in non-reusable dumpy bags, use the empty bags to separate your waste
• damp down dust with water when you are sweeping up - it helps to avoid impact on local air quality (but make sure you don't cause dirty water to run-off into drains and watercourses)
• know how you should handle hazardous waste
• know how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

The problem of waste is particularly acute for those working with plaster and plasterboard. Up to 1.3 million tonnes of plasterboard waste is generated by the construction and refurbishment industry each year, and a proportion of all new plasterboard is wasted even before it is used.

This is a particular problem because plasterboard waste causes disposal problems. If it is mixed with biodegradable wastes - such as food - it can produce hydrogen sulphide, a major contributor to acid rain. You must make sure that any waste which contains gypsum (such as plaster and plasterboard) is properly separated and sent to specially-designed waste cells.

It is essential that you look at ways of reducing or eliminating plasterboard waste to avoid high disposal costs. You can do this by actively encouraging better design and good site practice, such as reusing offcuts. You can also reduce your environmental impact and cut costs if you:

• don't waste materials - plan jobs so that you use what you have on site and use all of the plaster you have mixed
• store materials carefully so they are not wasted by damage from impact or moisture
• protect work so others do not damage it - redoing work is very wasteful
• separate your waste so you do not contaminate other wastes
• make sure plaster washings do not contaminate groundwater

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Plumbers use scarce materials such as copper, steel, lead and iron, as well as installing heating systems and expensive equipment, such as boilers, which have a long-term effect on carbon dioxide emissions. This gives plumbers the opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on environmental issues.

There are a number of ways you can reduce waste and save money. You could:

• Work out your own ways of eliminating waste from your work, for example by using leftover materials from one job on the next one - this is usually cheaper than having to dispose of waste and is better for the environment. For example, you could reuse lengths of pipework during and between projects.
• Avoid over ordering, as this increases waste.
• Think about the types of waste you produce and whether they need to be dealt with as hazardous waste.
• Make sure you recycle any waste - this applies to many plumbing materials including copper, steel, lead, cast iron and aluminium.
• Reduce your packaging waste - for example some pipework does not require any packaging at all and can be unloaded directly off the delivery vehicle.
• Consider alternative, shorter routes for pipework.
• Purchase pre-fabricated pipework - this will reduce waste generated on site and also cut the cost of labour as installation is much quicker.
• Speak to your suppliers to find out if they use returnable packaging - for example crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Keep stores secure, dry and organised - bad storage can cause considerable waste.
• Protect completed work so it is not damaged by others. 'Just-in-time' delivery for pre-fabricated pipework could increase available storage on site as well as reducing the likelihood of materials becoming damaged.
• Use materials with recycled content.
• Design pine-runs to use as few fittings as possible and save resources by fitting the minimum sizes of boiler, radiators and tanks.
• Use water-saving dual-flush systems and put hippo bags in existing cisterns to reduce water use.
• Insulate pipework to prevent heat loss and frost damage.
• Avoid flushing systems into surface water drains.
• Make sure customers know how best to use what you have installed - leave manuals and clear maintenance instructions.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Some of the wastes produced from steelwork are considered hazardous, including fluorescent tubes and oily rags. You will need to dispose of these according to hazardous waste regulations.

Steelworkers can benefit from significant cost savings by reducing waste and environmental impacts:

• Consolidating loads can minimise deliveries to site and reduce fuel costs.
• Use bare steel instead of coated steel where possible - bare steel can be used while maintaining suitable levels of safety and durability.
• Over-specification, damage to materials and components, off-cuts and defects cause significant wastage of materials on construction sites.
• Steel manufactured off site is easily managed and can be produced to a high quality. This can help you reduce wastage and any waste that is generated can be collected, separated and reused or recycled.
• Just-in-time deliveries of steel construction products reduce the need for on-site storage of products and materials. This reduces the risk of damage to products stored on-site.
• Water-based acrylic or water-based epoxy zinc phosphate primers reduce solvent emissions and the production of hazardous waste.
• Depending on paint viscosity and tin size, typically 5 per cent is left in the tin. Where possible, empty the tin before disposing of it.
• For larger volume painting, consider dip or flood paint application which can result in less paint wastage than sprayer application.
• Regularly clean and replace the tip of your paint spray gun to ensure effective coverage. Check that you use the appropriate tip size to reduce overspray and apply the coat to specification.
• Reduce your packaging waste. Speak to your suppliers to find out if they can supply products in bulk. Also, find out if they use returnable packaging - eg crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Where possible, avoid over ordering as this increases waste.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.

Window, door and conservatory manufacturers and installers have a crucial role to play in reducing the environmental impacts of glass and glazing. This can be achieved by adopting best practice techniques for waste minimisation and good waste management.

Frame manufacturers can minimise waste by:

• Automating profile cutting operations. Fully automated profile cutting allows a wastage rate of around 5 per cent, and semi-automated cutting should generally achieve rates of up to 13 per cent. If your wastage rates are higher than 13 per cent, you should look into how to improve this.
• Recycling profile off-cuts. The major manufacturers generally offer take-back schemes, or you could find an independent recycler.
• Handling, cutting and storing glass with care.
• Recycling glass wherever possible - when looking for recycling outlets, first ask the manufacturers whether they accept glass waste. If not, find an independent glass recycler.
• Returning faulty or incorrectly sized insulating glass units directly to the manufacturer for disposal.
• Working with suppliers to implement a returnable packaging system with plastic crates. If this isn't possible, ask them to reduce the packaging they use - you could even make it a requirement of their supply contract.
• Separating cardboard and plastic packaging for a specialist recycler to collect. If this isn't practical, consider using a small compactor or baler for cardboard and plastic packaging to make the most of skip space. This could reduce the number of skips you need by up to 40 per cent.
• Ensuring that staff are aware of new waste minimisation measures, and the reasons for these. For example, installing different brightly-coloured and labelled bins for different materials could help people to separate waste for recycling.

As most waste produced by window and door manufacture is recyclable and often high value, you should be able to sell your waste to recyclers. If you are spending money to dispose of waste, you are probably not getting the best deal.

Window, door and conservatory installers can improve waste management by:

• Sending packaging waste (a large component of waste particularly from new-build sites) back to the yard, so that all packaging can be collected and recycled together.
• Separating hardcore into an inert waste skip.
• Sending timber to a community wood recycling scheme.
• Sending waste flat glass to a specialist recycler. For high specification off-cuts, you could actually be paid for your waste.
• Selling aluminium, lead and steel as scrap metal by weight.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.