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A site waste management plan is a document that describes, in detail, the amount and type of waste from a construction project and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of.

Types of site waste management plan

There are two main types of site waste management plan:

• A basic site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost between £300,000 and £500,000.
• An advanced site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost over £500,000.

The project costs include the value of plant, labour, materials, overheads and profit but exclude the value of land and VAT.

There may be a number of people involved in producing different aspects of the site waste management plan.

A site waste management plan could help you reduce costs and improve the environmental performance of your construction projects.

Site waste management plans are not a legal requirement in Northern Ireland, however they are a useful tool for reducing waste and costs from construction projects. 

You can also download an example site waste management plan proforma (DOC, 77k).

The first step in preparing the site management waste plan (SWMP) is deciding who will write it.

Who should write a site management waste plan?

Ideally the SWMP should be written at the pre-planning stage. It is likely that the developer, client or the architect's representative may produce it. A specific individual should be responsible for both writing and implementing the SWMP.

If the SWMP is written at the pre-planning stage of the project the client should draft the Plan. The principal contractor should then keep the SWMP up to date as the construction project progresses.

When to write a site management waste plan

Starting the SWMP at the earliest opportunity - preferably at the conception and design phase - will produce the most effective plan. This enables you to consider the materials and methods of construction in minimising the amount of waste.

It is important that the person writing the SWMP has knowledge of waste issues and the construction programme. Ideally they should also be responsible for putting the SWMP in place.

It is essential that the SWMP is 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵed by management and accepted by the wider team. The writer should involve the project team from the beginning when they put the SWMP together. The project team may include:

• the client
• the design team
• the environmental team
• any sub-contractors - especially the demolition contractor
• the entire supply chain

Each part of the team can help reduce the amount of waste produced. For example, clients can help by thinking about how the SWMP impacts on contractors, including contract clauses that ensure waste is properly managed and using preferred suppliers that use their resources efficiently.

Designers and architects could use standard-sized materials when specifying designs, include waste minimisation strategies during construction, incorporate deconstruction into their designs for easier recycling and use recycled or reclaimed material where possible.

Suppliers could reduce the volume of product packaging and offer a take-back service to minimise wasted materials. This is important for materials such as plasterboard that are banned from landfill sites.

Contractors and sub-contractors can help by putting waste into appropriate skips, avoiding over ordering, reducing offcuts through careful management of materials, handling and storing materials appropriately, avoiding the use of hazardous materials and adopting waste management best practice techniques.

It is important that the SWMP is communicated effectively to everyone on site, and that training is provided - see site waste management communication and training.

Appointing a person responsible for your site waste management plan

One competent person on site - for example the principal contractor - should be made responsible for implementing the SWMP. This person needs to:

• communicate the SWMP to everyone on site and motivate them to follow it
• provide or source the necessary resources and training
• have a good knowledge of the contract and the various parties involved

It may also be helpful to nominate someone on site as a waste champion to:

• promote awareness of the SWMP
• monitor and report on waste generation
• monitor and enforce waste separation
• monitor the effectiveness of the SWMP
• form a good working relationship with the waste management contractor
• encourage suggestions for better waste management on site

For more information on waste champions and changing behaviour, see making the case for environmental improvements.

Your site waste management plan (SWMP) should list the client, the principal contractor, the writer, the site location and the estimated project cost. It should be kept on the construction site.

It must include a statement on any decisions taken before the SWMP was written about how to minimise waste produced on site. This should contain information such as design specifications, material choice or construction methods, such as pre-fabrication.

The SWMP should estimate what types of waste are likely to be produced and in what quantities. It should also describe what waste management actions are proposed, including reuse, recycling, other types of recovery - eg composting or energy recovery - and disposal.

Finally, the SWMP should declare that all waste produced on the site is dealt with according to the waste duty of care - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively.

Basic site waste management plans

A basic SWMP may be suitable for all projects between £300,000 and £500,000. This includes the value of materials, plant, labour, overheads and profit, but excludes the value of land and VAT.

A basic SWMP should:

• identify the licensed operators who remove the waste
• record the types of waste removed
• use the List of Wastes code
• record all waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes
• note where the waste is being taken
• be monitored and updated as works progress

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include confirmation that it was regularly monitored and updated, and an explanation of any deviations from the plan.

Advanced site waste management plans

An advanced SWMP may be suitable for all projects above £500,000 in value. The advanced SWMP is more comprehensive than the basic SWMP, and the principal contractor should make sure that they also:

• know the identity and waste carrier registration number of the person moving the waste
• keep a written description of the waste
• check details of the permits or exemptions held by the sites that the waste is taken to
• update the plan as often as necessary to ensure it reflects the progress of the project - this must be at least every six months
• keep a record of the types and quantities of wastes that are reused, recycled, recovered or disposed both on and off the site

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include:

• a comparison between the forecast and actual waste
• an explanation of any differences between the forecasted and actual levels of waste produced
• an estimate of the cost savings that were achieved through implementing the SWMP

All SWMPs should include a declaration signed by the client and the principal contractor. The principal contractor should keep the SWMP for two years after completion of the project.

When producing a site waste management plan (SWMP), you will need to know the types and quantities of waste that may be produced during each stage of the work programme. This will help you to plan for the waste containers that you will need for the different construction project stages and when it is best to start separating out different types of waste. By considering your materials and methods at the planning and design phase you can achieve the biggest savings, for example by designing out waste and identifying opportunities for reusing materials.

Common types of waste in site waste management plans

The following wastes are usually produced during a project's life cycle:

• inert wastes - eg concrete, bricks and blocks - will be generated in the first phases of the project
• timber waste may be generated throughout the project
• plastic and packaging waste will tend to increase as the project progresses
• some waste types - eg office and canteen waste - will be present throughout the project

You should include any waste from demolition works in your estimates. You can estimate this by carrying out a pre-demolition audit.

Site waste management plan options for reducing construction waste

Once you have estimated the likely on-site waste, your strategy for managing it must follow the 'waste hierarchy'. This can help you to choose the most cost-effective options that have the least impact on the environment.

Start by considering how to prevent and reduce waste. Then look at ways of reusing and recycling waste, and recovery options such as composting and energy-from-waste. You must only dispose of waste, such as to landfill, as a last resort.

Waste management planning will help you to:

• decide whether any specialised equipment is required on site
• provide advance warning if exemptions or licences are required
• plan for the appropriate use of space and containers

This information can be combined with your waste estimates to set targets for:

• separating materials on site - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively
• recycling materials
• diverting waste from landfill

A site waste management plan (SWMP) will only be effective if everyone on the construction site knows what is expected of them. The SWMP should be made available to all contractors working on the project.

Site waste management plan communication methods

The type of communication you use will depend on the level of knowledge required about the SWMP. Possible methods include:

• introducing the SWMP as part of the site induction process, possibly incorporated within the usual health and safety induction
• short, effective talks by supervisors on waste management, reminding people about health and safety issues, for example toolbox talks
• higher-level workshops involving the project team to identify progress on the SWMP and how it is being implemented
• displaying posters that raise awareness and keep waste 'on the agenda'
• newsletters to update site personnel

There are also many informal communication mechanisms that can be used.

You can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated on your construction site by looking at the way in which materials are specified, designed, procured and supplied. You can reduce the amount of materials you waste by improving your ordering systems, using products with less packaging and setting up take-back schemes with suppliers.

To make this happen, the whole supply chain should be involved in your site waste management process.

Site waste management plans and your supply chain

You should consider:

• specifying products that create less waste and are not hazardous if they become waste
• using off-site prefabrication and modular construction
• setting up agreements with suppliers to take back excess materials and packaging, for example plasterboard and insulation off-cuts
• adopting systems such as 'just-in-time' delivery
• specifying packaging that you can reuse and recycle
• reusing waste generated on site
• using materials and products with a high recycled content
• batching materials on site
• establishing good quality control systems to inspect materials delivered to site for damage before they are accepted

You should plan carefully the way you deliver, store and transport materials around a construction site. Bad planning can lead to significant quantities of unnecessary waste, contamination of non-hazardous waste by hazardous waste and increased risk of pollution incidents. For example, leaving building materials unprotected can mean they get spoiled and have to be scrapped if it rains or the site becomes muddy.

Site waste management plans and separating waste

Where possible, you should separate different waste materials on site. This makes it easier to reuse materials and can save you money, as materials that have been separated for recycling are usually more valuable to the waste industry than those that are mixed.

You should also:

• Label containers clearly. A national colour coding scheme has been developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers and Waste Aware Construction.
• Allocate designated areas for containers in suitable locations.
• Empty containers regularly to avoid running out of space and prevent possible contamination.
• Make sure that your staff are adequately trained and know how the system works - see site waste management communication and training.
• Audit the scheme, for example by carrying out spot checks.

You need to consider space for separating waste when planning the project. Think about using systems such as compaction, as many skips have up to 40 per cent empty space when they appear full.

You can set up systems with your waste management contractor to ensure that:

• the correct types of containers are provided
• you receive help in monitoring, enforcement and training
• there are end markets for the waste materials that you separated

Site waste management plans and hazardous waste

You must separate all hazardous waste on site to make sure it is stored safely and to avoid contaminating other waste with hazardous materials. Hazardous waste includes asbestos, oil, chemicals and electrical equipment with hazardous components such as fluorescent light tubes - see dealing with hazardous waste.

Site waste management plan duty of care

You must make sure that all waste on the site is handled and disposed of correctly by meeting duty of care requirements. A site waste management plan should provide a framework to ensure that the site complies with the waste duty of care. This includes:

• ensuring that all waste is stored safely and securely
• checking that all waste contractors have the appropriate licences or exemptions
• keeping copies of all waste transfer notes for two years
• using the waste hierarchy when deciding how to deal with your waste

You should assign someone to collect relevant construction waste data as part of your site waste management plan (SWMP). This information can then help you identify whether any targets you set are likely to be met and what actions, if any, need to be taken.

Site waste management plan data collection

You can collect different types of data on the waste generated from the construction project, including:

• the type and quantity of waste generated on site
• the proportion that is separated
• reuse rates on and off site, recycling rates and diversion of waste from landfill
• the proportion of different materials wasted
• costs and savings
• movements of waste
• sources of waste
• a waste profile over the course of the project
• volumes of damaged materials

Your waste management contractor can provide at least some of this waste data, especially if this service is written into the contract.

On-site contractors can use their own systems to record the type and amount of waste generated - usually in volume. Contractors can also analyse the information on waste transfer notes.

Site waste management plan data analysis, benchmarking and setting targets

By analysing your data, you can:

• provide feedback to site workers, clients, designers and other members of the project team
• monitor the site's performance in minimising waste
• set realistic targets within the SWMP - these should also be reviewed regularly
• provide information for corporate reports

It is also useful to compare the actual amount of waste arising and the associated costs with the predicted values. This will help you set waste reduction targets in the future.

Site waste management plan key performance indicators (KPIs)

KPIs can be used to compare performance across sites, business-wide, against previous projects and against national averages.

You can read more about KPIs in how to set environmental performance targets.

Once a site waste management plan (SWMP) is implemented at your construction site, it is important you review it regularly to ensure it is being followed, it's still practical and appropriate, and is amended as necessary. For example, the SWMP could be included as an agenda item for weekly, fortnightly or monthly meetings.

You can also arrange for the SWMP to be audited by an appropriate person - for example, someone from the head office environmental team of the principal contractor - to ensure its effectiveness.

Apply lessons from a site waste management plan

It is important that recommendations and lessons learned from one SWMP can be applied to other sites and throughout the business. This can be achieved by:

• debriefing the client and project team on the SWMP's successes, targets, recommendations and good and bad practice
• including the SWMP as an agenda item for post-contract reviews
• establishing benchmarks and new targets based on SWMP experience
• holding educational or training workshops within the business
• asking the head office environmental team to audit and collate SWMP information from all sites and make business-wide recommendations
• updating policies and procedures - including environmental management systems
• incorporating the results in annual reports and business newsletters
• establishing an area for SWMPs on the business' intranet
• agreeing financial incentives for meeting or exceeding targets
• providing feedback to the procurement and design teams, sub-contractors, suppliers and waste management contractors
• using previous SWMP information and experiences for new tenders, pre-qualification exercises and pre-contract meetings

A site waste management plan is a document that describes, in detail, the amount and type of waste from a construction project and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of.

Types of site waste management plan

There are two main types of site waste management plan:

• A basic site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost between £300,000 and £500,000.
• An advanced site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost over £500,000.

The project costs include the value of plant, labour, materials, overheads and profit but exclude the value of land and VAT.

There may be a number of people involved in producing different aspects of the site waste management plan.

A site waste management plan could help you reduce costs and improve the environmental performance of your construction projects.

Site waste management plans are not a legal requirement in Northern Ireland, however they are a useful tool for reducing waste and costs from construction projects. 

You can also download an example site waste management plan proforma (DOC, 77k).

The first step in preparing the site management waste plan (SWMP) is deciding who will write it.

Who should write a site management waste plan?

Ideally the SWMP should be written at the pre-planning stage. It is likely that the developer, client or the architect's representative may produce it. A specific individual should be responsible for both writing and implementing the SWMP.

If the SWMP is written at the pre-planning stage of the project the client should draft the Plan. The principal contractor should then keep the SWMP up to date as the construction project progresses.

When to write a site management waste plan

Starting the SWMP at the earliest opportunity - preferably at the conception and design phase - will produce the most effective plan. This enables you to consider the materials and methods of construction in minimising the amount of waste.

It is important that the person writing the SWMP has knowledge of waste issues and the construction programme. Ideally they should also be responsible for putting the SWMP in place.

It is essential that the SWMP is 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵed by management and accepted by the wider team. The writer should involve the project team from the beginning when they put the SWMP together. The project team may include:

• the client
• the design team
• the environmental team
• any sub-contractors - especially the demolition contractor
• the entire supply chain

Each part of the team can help reduce the amount of waste produced. For example, clients can help by thinking about how the SWMP impacts on contractors, including contract clauses that ensure waste is properly managed and using preferred suppliers that use their resources efficiently.

Designers and architects could use standard-sized materials when specifying designs, include waste minimisation strategies during construction, incorporate deconstruction into their designs for easier recycling and use recycled or reclaimed material where possible.

Suppliers could reduce the volume of product packaging and offer a take-back service to minimise wasted materials. This is important for materials such as plasterboard that are banned from landfill sites.

Contractors and sub-contractors can help by putting waste into appropriate skips, avoiding over ordering, reducing offcuts through careful management of materials, handling and storing materials appropriately, avoiding the use of hazardous materials and adopting waste management best practice techniques.

It is important that the SWMP is communicated effectively to everyone on site, and that training is provided - see site waste management communication and training.

Appointing a person responsible for your site waste management plan

One competent person on site - for example the principal contractor - should be made responsible for implementing the SWMP. This person needs to:

• communicate the SWMP to everyone on site and motivate them to follow it
• provide or source the necessary resources and training
• have a good knowledge of the contract and the various parties involved

It may also be helpful to nominate someone on site as a waste champion to:

• promote awareness of the SWMP
• monitor and report on waste generation
• monitor and enforce waste separation
• monitor the effectiveness of the SWMP
• form a good working relationship with the waste management contractor
• encourage suggestions for better waste management on site

For more information on waste champions and changing behaviour, see making the case for environmental improvements.

Your site waste management plan (SWMP) should list the client, the principal contractor, the writer, the site location and the estimated project cost. It should be kept on the construction site.

It must include a statement on any decisions taken before the SWMP was written about how to minimise waste produced on site. This should contain information such as design specifications, material choice or construction methods, such as pre-fabrication.

The SWMP should estimate what types of waste are likely to be produced and in what quantities. It should also describe what waste management actions are proposed, including reuse, recycling, other types of recovery - eg composting or energy recovery - and disposal.

Finally, the SWMP should declare that all waste produced on the site is dealt with according to the waste duty of care - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively.

Basic site waste management plans

A basic SWMP may be suitable for all projects between £300,000 and £500,000. This includes the value of materials, plant, labour, overheads and profit, but excludes the value of land and VAT.

A basic SWMP should:

• identify the licensed operators who remove the waste
• record the types of waste removed
• use the List of Wastes code
• record all waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes
• note where the waste is being taken
• be monitored and updated as works progress

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include confirmation that it was regularly monitored and updated, and an explanation of any deviations from the plan.

Advanced site waste management plans

An advanced SWMP may be suitable for all projects above £500,000 in value. The advanced SWMP is more comprehensive than the basic SWMP, and the principal contractor should make sure that they also:

• know the identity and waste carrier registration number of the person moving the waste
• keep a written description of the waste
• check details of the permits or exemptions held by the sites that the waste is taken to
• update the plan as often as necessary to ensure it reflects the progress of the project - this must be at least every six months
• keep a record of the types and quantities of wastes that are reused, recycled, recovered or disposed both on and off the site

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include:

• a comparison between the forecast and actual waste
• an explanation of any differences between the forecasted and actual levels of waste produced
• an estimate of the cost savings that were achieved through implementing the SWMP

All SWMPs should include a declaration signed by the client and the principal contractor. The principal contractor should keep the SWMP for two years after completion of the project.

When producing a site waste management plan (SWMP), you will need to know the types and quantities of waste that may be produced during each stage of the work programme. This will help you to plan for the waste containers that you will need for the different construction project stages and when it is best to start separating out different types of waste. By considering your materials and methods at the planning and design phase you can achieve the biggest savings, for example by designing out waste and identifying opportunities for reusing materials.

Common types of waste in site waste management plans

The following wastes are usually produced during a project's life cycle:

• inert wastes - eg concrete, bricks and blocks - will be generated in the first phases of the project
• timber waste may be generated throughout the project
• plastic and packaging waste will tend to increase as the project progresses
• some waste types - eg office and canteen waste - will be present throughout the project

You should include any waste from demolition works in your estimates. You can estimate this by carrying out a pre-demolition audit.

Site waste management plan options for reducing construction waste

Once you have estimated the likely on-site waste, your strategy for managing it must follow the 'waste hierarchy'. This can help you to choose the most cost-effective options that have the least impact on the environment.

Start by considering how to prevent and reduce waste. Then look at ways of reusing and recycling waste, and recovery options such as composting and energy-from-waste. You must only dispose of waste, such as to landfill, as a last resort.

Waste management planning will help you to:

• decide whether any specialised equipment is required on site
• provide advance warning if exemptions or licences are required
• plan for the appropriate use of space and containers

This information can be combined with your waste estimates to set targets for:

• separating materials on site - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively
• recycling materials
• diverting waste from landfill

A site waste management plan (SWMP) will only be effective if everyone on the construction site knows what is expected of them. The SWMP should be made available to all contractors working on the project.

Site waste management plan communication methods

The type of communication you use will depend on the level of knowledge required about the SWMP. Possible methods include:

• introducing the SWMP as part of the site induction process, possibly incorporated within the usual health and safety induction
• short, effective talks by supervisors on waste management, reminding people about health and safety issues, for example toolbox talks
• higher-level workshops involving the project team to identify progress on the SWMP and how it is being implemented
• displaying posters that raise awareness and keep waste 'on the agenda'
• newsletters to update site personnel

There are also many informal communication mechanisms that can be used.

You can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated on your construction site by looking at the way in which materials are specified, designed, procured and supplied. You can reduce the amount of materials you waste by improving your ordering systems, using products with less packaging and setting up take-back schemes with suppliers.

To make this happen, the whole supply chain should be involved in your site waste management process.

Site waste management plans and your supply chain

You should consider:

• specifying products that create less waste and are not hazardous if they become waste
• using off-site prefabrication and modular construction
• setting up agreements with suppliers to take back excess materials and packaging, for example plasterboard and insulation off-cuts
• adopting systems such as 'just-in-time' delivery
• specifying packaging that you can reuse and recycle
• reusing waste generated on site
• using materials and products with a high recycled content
• batching materials on site
• establishing good quality control systems to inspect materials delivered to site for damage before they are accepted

You should plan carefully the way you deliver, store and transport materials around a construction site. Bad planning can lead to significant quantities of unnecessary waste, contamination of non-hazardous waste by hazardous waste and increased risk of pollution incidents. For example, leaving building materials unprotected can mean they get spoiled and have to be scrapped if it rains or the site becomes muddy.

Site waste management plans and separating waste

Where possible, you should separate different waste materials on site. This makes it easier to reuse materials and can save you money, as materials that have been separated for recycling are usually more valuable to the waste industry than those that are mixed.

You should also:

• Label containers clearly. A national colour coding scheme has been developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers and Waste Aware Construction.
• Allocate designated areas for containers in suitable locations.
• Empty containers regularly to avoid running out of space and prevent possible contamination.
• Make sure that your staff are adequately trained and know how the system works - see site waste management communication and training.
• Audit the scheme, for example by carrying out spot checks.

You need to consider space for separating waste when planning the project. Think about using systems such as compaction, as many skips have up to 40 per cent empty space when they appear full.

You can set up systems with your waste management contractor to ensure that:

• the correct types of containers are provided
• you receive help in monitoring, enforcement and training
• there are end markets for the waste materials that you separated

Site waste management plans and hazardous waste

You must separate all hazardous waste on site to make sure it is stored safely and to avoid contaminating other waste with hazardous materials. Hazardous waste includes asbestos, oil, chemicals and electrical equipment with hazardous components such as fluorescent light tubes - see dealing with hazardous waste.

Site waste management plan duty of care

You must make sure that all waste on the site is handled and disposed of correctly by meeting duty of care requirements. A site waste management plan should provide a framework to ensure that the site complies with the waste duty of care. This includes:

• ensuring that all waste is stored safely and securely
• checking that all waste contractors have the appropriate licences or exemptions
• keeping copies of all waste transfer notes for two years
• using the waste hierarchy when deciding how to deal with your waste

You should assign someone to collect relevant construction waste data as part of your site waste management plan (SWMP). This information can then help you identify whether any targets you set are likely to be met and what actions, if any, need to be taken.

Site waste management plan data collection

You can collect different types of data on the waste generated from the construction project, including:

• the type and quantity of waste generated on site
• the proportion that is separated
• reuse rates on and off site, recycling rates and diversion of waste from landfill
• the proportion of different materials wasted
• costs and savings
• movements of waste
• sources of waste
• a waste profile over the course of the project
• volumes of damaged materials

Your waste management contractor can provide at least some of this waste data, especially if this service is written into the contract.

On-site contractors can use their own systems to record the type and amount of waste generated - usually in volume. Contractors can also analyse the information on waste transfer notes.

Site waste management plan data analysis, benchmarking and setting targets

By analysing your data, you can:

• provide feedback to site workers, clients, designers and other members of the project team
• monitor the site's performance in minimising waste
• set realistic targets within the SWMP - these should also be reviewed regularly
• provide information for corporate reports

It is also useful to compare the actual amount of waste arising and the associated costs with the predicted values. This will help you set waste reduction targets in the future.

Site waste management plan key performance indicators (KPIs)

KPIs can be used to compare performance across sites, business-wide, against previous projects and against national averages.

You can read more about KPIs in how to set environmental performance targets.

Once a site waste management plan (SWMP) is implemented at your construction site, it is important you review it regularly to ensure it is being followed, it's still practical and appropriate, and is amended as necessary. For example, the SWMP could be included as an agenda item for weekly, fortnightly or monthly meetings.

You can also arrange for the SWMP to be audited by an appropriate person - for example, someone from the head office environmental team of the principal contractor - to ensure its effectiveness.

Apply lessons from a site waste management plan

It is important that recommendations and lessons learned from one SWMP can be applied to other sites and throughout the business. This can be achieved by:

• debriefing the client and project team on the SWMP's successes, targets, recommendations and good and bad practice
• including the SWMP as an agenda item for post-contract reviews
• establishing benchmarks and new targets based on SWMP experience
• holding educational or training workshops within the business
• asking the head office environmental team to audit and collate SWMP information from all sites and make business-wide recommendations
• updating policies and procedures - including environmental management systems
• incorporating the results in annual reports and business newsletters
• establishing an area for SWMPs on the business' intranet
• agreeing financial incentives for meeting or exceeding targets
• providing feedback to the procurement and design teams, sub-contractors, suppliers and waste management contractors
• using previous SWMP information and experiences for new tenders, pre-qualification exercises and pre-contract meetings

A site waste management plan is a document that describes, in detail, the amount and type of waste from a construction project and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of.

Types of site waste management plan

There are two main types of site waste management plan:

• A basic site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost between £300,000 and £500,000.
• An advanced site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost over £500,000.

The project costs include the value of plant, labour, materials, overheads and profit but exclude the value of land and VAT.

There may be a number of people involved in producing different aspects of the site waste management plan.

A site waste management plan could help you reduce costs and improve the environmental performance of your construction projects.

Site waste management plans are not a legal requirement in Northern Ireland, however they are a useful tool for reducing waste and costs from construction projects. 

You can also download an example site waste management plan proforma (DOC, 77k).

The first step in preparing the site management waste plan (SWMP) is deciding who will write it.

Who should write a site management waste plan?

Ideally the SWMP should be written at the pre-planning stage. It is likely that the developer, client or the architect's representative may produce it. A specific individual should be responsible for both writing and implementing the SWMP.

If the SWMP is written at the pre-planning stage of the project the client should draft the Plan. The principal contractor should then keep the SWMP up to date as the construction project progresses.

When to write a site management waste plan

Starting the SWMP at the earliest opportunity - preferably at the conception and design phase - will produce the most effective plan. This enables you to consider the materials and methods of construction in minimising the amount of waste.

It is important that the person writing the SWMP has knowledge of waste issues and the construction programme. Ideally they should also be responsible for putting the SWMP in place.

It is essential that the SWMP is 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵed by management and accepted by the wider team. The writer should involve the project team from the beginning when they put the SWMP together. The project team may include:

• the client
• the design team
• the environmental team
• any sub-contractors - especially the demolition contractor
• the entire supply chain

Each part of the team can help reduce the amount of waste produced. For example, clients can help by thinking about how the SWMP impacts on contractors, including contract clauses that ensure waste is properly managed and using preferred suppliers that use their resources efficiently.

Designers and architects could use standard-sized materials when specifying designs, include waste minimisation strategies during construction, incorporate deconstruction into their designs for easier recycling and use recycled or reclaimed material where possible.

Suppliers could reduce the volume of product packaging and offer a take-back service to minimise wasted materials. This is important for materials such as plasterboard that are banned from landfill sites.

Contractors and sub-contractors can help by putting waste into appropriate skips, avoiding over ordering, reducing offcuts through careful management of materials, handling and storing materials appropriately, avoiding the use of hazardous materials and adopting waste management best practice techniques.

It is important that the SWMP is communicated effectively to everyone on site, and that training is provided - see site waste management communication and training.

Appointing a person responsible for your site waste management plan

One competent person on site - for example the principal contractor - should be made responsible for implementing the SWMP. This person needs to:

• communicate the SWMP to everyone on site and motivate them to follow it
• provide or source the necessary resources and training
• have a good knowledge of the contract and the various parties involved

It may also be helpful to nominate someone on site as a waste champion to:

• promote awareness of the SWMP
• monitor and report on waste generation
• monitor and enforce waste separation
• monitor the effectiveness of the SWMP
• form a good working relationship with the waste management contractor
• encourage suggestions for better waste management on site

For more information on waste champions and changing behaviour, see making the case for environmental improvements.

Your site waste management plan (SWMP) should list the client, the principal contractor, the writer, the site location and the estimated project cost. It should be kept on the construction site.

It must include a statement on any decisions taken before the SWMP was written about how to minimise waste produced on site. This should contain information such as design specifications, material choice or construction methods, such as pre-fabrication.

The SWMP should estimate what types of waste are likely to be produced and in what quantities. It should also describe what waste management actions are proposed, including reuse, recycling, other types of recovery - eg composting or energy recovery - and disposal.

Finally, the SWMP should declare that all waste produced on the site is dealt with according to the waste duty of care - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively.

Basic site waste management plans

A basic SWMP may be suitable for all projects between £300,000 and £500,000. This includes the value of materials, plant, labour, overheads and profit, but excludes the value of land and VAT.

A basic SWMP should:

• identify the licensed operators who remove the waste
• record the types of waste removed
• use the List of Wastes code
• record all waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes
• note where the waste is being taken
• be monitored and updated as works progress

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include confirmation that it was regularly monitored and updated, and an explanation of any deviations from the plan.

Advanced site waste management plans

An advanced SWMP may be suitable for all projects above £500,000 in value. The advanced SWMP is more comprehensive than the basic SWMP, and the principal contractor should make sure that they also:

• know the identity and waste carrier registration number of the person moving the waste
• keep a written description of the waste
• check details of the permits or exemptions held by the sites that the waste is taken to
• update the plan as often as necessary to ensure it reflects the progress of the project - this must be at least every six months
• keep a record of the types and quantities of wastes that are reused, recycled, recovered or disposed both on and off the site

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include:

• a comparison between the forecast and actual waste
• an explanation of any differences between the forecasted and actual levels of waste produced
• an estimate of the cost savings that were achieved through implementing the SWMP

All SWMPs should include a declaration signed by the client and the principal contractor. The principal contractor should keep the SWMP for two years after completion of the project.

When producing a site waste management plan (SWMP), you will need to know the types and quantities of waste that may be produced during each stage of the work programme. This will help you to plan for the waste containers that you will need for the different construction project stages and when it is best to start separating out different types of waste. By considering your materials and methods at the planning and design phase you can achieve the biggest savings, for example by designing out waste and identifying opportunities for reusing materials.

Common types of waste in site waste management plans

The following wastes are usually produced during a project's life cycle:

• inert wastes - eg concrete, bricks and blocks - will be generated in the first phases of the project
• timber waste may be generated throughout the project
• plastic and packaging waste will tend to increase as the project progresses
• some waste types - eg office and canteen waste - will be present throughout the project

You should include any waste from demolition works in your estimates. You can estimate this by carrying out a pre-demolition audit.

Site waste management plan options for reducing construction waste

Once you have estimated the likely on-site waste, your strategy for managing it must follow the 'waste hierarchy'. This can help you to choose the most cost-effective options that have the least impact on the environment.

Start by considering how to prevent and reduce waste. Then look at ways of reusing and recycling waste, and recovery options such as composting and energy-from-waste. You must only dispose of waste, such as to landfill, as a last resort.

Waste management planning will help you to:

• decide whether any specialised equipment is required on site
• provide advance warning if exemptions or licences are required
• plan for the appropriate use of space and containers

This information can be combined with your waste estimates to set targets for:

• separating materials on site - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively
• recycling materials
• diverting waste from landfill

A site waste management plan (SWMP) will only be effective if everyone on the construction site knows what is expected of them. The SWMP should be made available to all contractors working on the project.

Site waste management plan communication methods

The type of communication you use will depend on the level of knowledge required about the SWMP. Possible methods include:

• introducing the SWMP as part of the site induction process, possibly incorporated within the usual health and safety induction
• short, effective talks by supervisors on waste management, reminding people about health and safety issues, for example toolbox talks
• higher-level workshops involving the project team to identify progress on the SWMP and how it is being implemented
• displaying posters that raise awareness and keep waste 'on the agenda'
• newsletters to update site personnel

There are also many informal communication mechanisms that can be used.

You can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated on your construction site by looking at the way in which materials are specified, designed, procured and supplied. You can reduce the amount of materials you waste by improving your ordering systems, using products with less packaging and setting up take-back schemes with suppliers.

To make this happen, the whole supply chain should be involved in your site waste management process.

Site waste management plans and your supply chain

You should consider:

• specifying products that create less waste and are not hazardous if they become waste
• using off-site prefabrication and modular construction
• setting up agreements with suppliers to take back excess materials and packaging, for example plasterboard and insulation off-cuts
• adopting systems such as 'just-in-time' delivery
• specifying packaging that you can reuse and recycle
• reusing waste generated on site
• using materials and products with a high recycled content
• batching materials on site
• establishing good quality control systems to inspect materials delivered to site for damage before they are accepted

You should plan carefully the way you deliver, store and transport materials around a construction site. Bad planning can lead to significant quantities of unnecessary waste, contamination of non-hazardous waste by hazardous waste and increased risk of pollution incidents. For example, leaving building materials unprotected can mean they get spoiled and have to be scrapped if it rains or the site becomes muddy.

Site waste management plans and separating waste

Where possible, you should separate different waste materials on site. This makes it easier to reuse materials and can save you money, as materials that have been separated for recycling are usually more valuable to the waste industry than those that are mixed.

You should also:

• Label containers clearly. A national colour coding scheme has been developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers and Waste Aware Construction.
• Allocate designated areas for containers in suitable locations.
• Empty containers regularly to avoid running out of space and prevent possible contamination.
• Make sure that your staff are adequately trained and know how the system works - see site waste management communication and training.
• Audit the scheme, for example by carrying out spot checks.

You need to consider space for separating waste when planning the project. Think about using systems such as compaction, as many skips have up to 40 per cent empty space when they appear full.

You can set up systems with your waste management contractor to ensure that:

• the correct types of containers are provided
• you receive help in monitoring, enforcement and training
• there are end markets for the waste materials that you separated

Site waste management plans and hazardous waste

You must separate all hazardous waste on site to make sure it is stored safely and to avoid contaminating other waste with hazardous materials. Hazardous waste includes asbestos, oil, chemicals and electrical equipment with hazardous components such as fluorescent light tubes - see dealing with hazardous waste.

Site waste management plan duty of care

You must make sure that all waste on the site is handled and disposed of correctly by meeting duty of care requirements. A site waste management plan should provide a framework to ensure that the site complies with the waste duty of care. This includes:

• ensuring that all waste is stored safely and securely
• checking that all waste contractors have the appropriate licences or exemptions
• keeping copies of all waste transfer notes for two years
• using the waste hierarchy when deciding how to deal with your waste

You should assign someone to collect relevant construction waste data as part of your site waste management plan (SWMP). This information can then help you identify whether any targets you set are likely to be met and what actions, if any, need to be taken.

Site waste management plan data collection

You can collect different types of data on the waste generated from the construction project, including:

• the type and quantity of waste generated on site
• the proportion that is separated
• reuse rates on and off site, recycling rates and diversion of waste from landfill
• the proportion of different materials wasted
• costs and savings
• movements of waste
• sources of waste
• a waste profile over the course of the project
• volumes of damaged materials

Your waste management contractor can provide at least some of this waste data, especially if this service is written into the contract.

On-site contractors can use their own systems to record the type and amount of waste generated - usually in volume. Contractors can also analyse the information on waste transfer notes.

Site waste management plan data analysis, benchmarking and setting targets

By analysing your data, you can:

• provide feedback to site workers, clients, designers and other members of the project team
• monitor the site's performance in minimising waste
• set realistic targets within the SWMP - these should also be reviewed regularly
• provide information for corporate reports

It is also useful to compare the actual amount of waste arising and the associated costs with the predicted values. This will help you set waste reduction targets in the future.

Site waste management plan key performance indicators (KPIs)

KPIs can be used to compare performance across sites, business-wide, against previous projects and against national averages.

You can read more about KPIs in how to set environmental performance targets.

Once a site waste management plan (SWMP) is implemented at your construction site, it is important you review it regularly to ensure it is being followed, it's still practical and appropriate, and is amended as necessary. For example, the SWMP could be included as an agenda item for weekly, fortnightly or monthly meetings.

You can also arrange for the SWMP to be audited by an appropriate person - for example, someone from the head office environmental team of the principal contractor - to ensure its effectiveness.

Apply lessons from a site waste management plan

It is important that recommendations and lessons learned from one SWMP can be applied to other sites and throughout the business. This can be achieved by:

• debriefing the client and project team on the SWMP's successes, targets, recommendations and good and bad practice
• including the SWMP as an agenda item for post-contract reviews
• establishing benchmarks and new targets based on SWMP experience
• holding educational or training workshops within the business
• asking the head office environmental team to audit and collate SWMP information from all sites and make business-wide recommendations
• updating policies and procedures - including environmental management systems
• incorporating the results in annual reports and business newsletters
• establishing an area for SWMPs on the business' intranet
• agreeing financial incentives for meeting or exceeding targets
• providing feedback to the procurement and design teams, sub-contractors, suppliers and waste management contractors
• using previous SWMP information and experiences for new tenders, pre-qualification exercises and pre-contract meetings

A site waste management plan is a document that describes, in detail, the amount and type of waste from a construction project and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of.

Types of site waste management plan

There are two main types of site waste management plan:

• A basic site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost between £300,000 and £500,000.
• An advanced site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost over £500,000.

The project costs include the value of plant, labour, materials, overheads and profit but exclude the value of land and VAT.

There may be a number of people involved in producing different aspects of the site waste management plan.

A site waste management plan could help you reduce costs and improve the environmental performance of your construction projects.

Site waste management plans are not a legal requirement in Northern Ireland, however they are a useful tool for reducing waste and costs from construction projects. 

You can also download an example site waste management plan proforma (DOC, 77k).

The first step in preparing the site management waste plan (SWMP) is deciding who will write it.

Who should write a site management waste plan?

Ideally the SWMP should be written at the pre-planning stage. It is likely that the developer, client or the architect's representative may produce it. A specific individual should be responsible for both writing and implementing the SWMP.

If the SWMP is written at the pre-planning stage of the project the client should draft the Plan. The principal contractor should then keep the SWMP up to date as the construction project progresses.

When to write a site management waste plan

Starting the SWMP at the earliest opportunity - preferably at the conception and design phase - will produce the most effective plan. This enables you to consider the materials and methods of construction in minimising the amount of waste.

It is important that the person writing the SWMP has knowledge of waste issues and the construction programme. Ideally they should also be responsible for putting the SWMP in place.

It is essential that the SWMP is 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵed by management and accepted by the wider team. The writer should involve the project team from the beginning when they put the SWMP together. The project team may include:

• the client
• the design team
• the environmental team
• any sub-contractors - especially the demolition contractor
• the entire supply chain

Each part of the team can help reduce the amount of waste produced. For example, clients can help by thinking about how the SWMP impacts on contractors, including contract clauses that ensure waste is properly managed and using preferred suppliers that use their resources efficiently.

Designers and architects could use standard-sized materials when specifying designs, include waste minimisation strategies during construction, incorporate deconstruction into their designs for easier recycling and use recycled or reclaimed material where possible.

Suppliers could reduce the volume of product packaging and offer a take-back service to minimise wasted materials. This is important for materials such as plasterboard that are banned from landfill sites.

Contractors and sub-contractors can help by putting waste into appropriate skips, avoiding over ordering, reducing offcuts through careful management of materials, handling and storing materials appropriately, avoiding the use of hazardous materials and adopting waste management best practice techniques.

It is important that the SWMP is communicated effectively to everyone on site, and that training is provided - see site waste management communication and training.

Appointing a person responsible for your site waste management plan

One competent person on site - for example the principal contractor - should be made responsible for implementing the SWMP. This person needs to:

• communicate the SWMP to everyone on site and motivate them to follow it
• provide or source the necessary resources and training
• have a good knowledge of the contract and the various parties involved

It may also be helpful to nominate someone on site as a waste champion to:

• promote awareness of the SWMP
• monitor and report on waste generation
• monitor and enforce waste separation
• monitor the effectiveness of the SWMP
• form a good working relationship with the waste management contractor
• encourage suggestions for better waste management on site

For more information on waste champions and changing behaviour, see making the case for environmental improvements.

Your site waste management plan (SWMP) should list the client, the principal contractor, the writer, the site location and the estimated project cost. It should be kept on the construction site.

It must include a statement on any decisions taken before the SWMP was written about how to minimise waste produced on site. This should contain information such as design specifications, material choice or construction methods, such as pre-fabrication.

The SWMP should estimate what types of waste are likely to be produced and in what quantities. It should also describe what waste management actions are proposed, including reuse, recycling, other types of recovery - eg composting or energy recovery - and disposal.

Finally, the SWMP should declare that all waste produced on the site is dealt with according to the waste duty of care - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively.

Basic site waste management plans

A basic SWMP may be suitable for all projects between £300,000 and £500,000. This includes the value of materials, plant, labour, overheads and profit, but excludes the value of land and VAT.

A basic SWMP should:

• identify the licensed operators who remove the waste
• record the types of waste removed
• use the List of Wastes code
• record all waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes
• note where the waste is being taken
• be monitored and updated as works progress

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include confirmation that it was regularly monitored and updated, and an explanation of any deviations from the plan.

Advanced site waste management plans

An advanced SWMP may be suitable for all projects above £500,000 in value. The advanced SWMP is more comprehensive than the basic SWMP, and the principal contractor should make sure that they also:

• know the identity and waste carrier registration number of the person moving the waste
• keep a written description of the waste
• check details of the permits or exemptions held by the sites that the waste is taken to
• update the plan as often as necessary to ensure it reflects the progress of the project - this must be at least every six months
• keep a record of the types and quantities of wastes that are reused, recycled, recovered or disposed both on and off the site

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include:

• a comparison between the forecast and actual waste
• an explanation of any differences between the forecasted and actual levels of waste produced
• an estimate of the cost savings that were achieved through implementing the SWMP

All SWMPs should include a declaration signed by the client and the principal contractor. The principal contractor should keep the SWMP for two years after completion of the project.

When producing a site waste management plan (SWMP), you will need to know the types and quantities of waste that may be produced during each stage of the work programme. This will help you to plan for the waste containers that you will need for the different construction project stages and when it is best to start separating out different types of waste. By considering your materials and methods at the planning and design phase you can achieve the biggest savings, for example by designing out waste and identifying opportunities for reusing materials.

Common types of waste in site waste management plans

The following wastes are usually produced during a project's life cycle:

• inert wastes - eg concrete, bricks and blocks - will be generated in the first phases of the project
• timber waste may be generated throughout the project
• plastic and packaging waste will tend to increase as the project progresses
• some waste types - eg office and canteen waste - will be present throughout the project

You should include any waste from demolition works in your estimates. You can estimate this by carrying out a pre-demolition audit.

Site waste management plan options for reducing construction waste

Once you have estimated the likely on-site waste, your strategy for managing it must follow the 'waste hierarchy'. This can help you to choose the most cost-effective options that have the least impact on the environment.

Start by considering how to prevent and reduce waste. Then look at ways of reusing and recycling waste, and recovery options such as composting and energy-from-waste. You must only dispose of waste, such as to landfill, as a last resort.

Waste management planning will help you to:

• decide whether any specialised equipment is required on site
• provide advance warning if exemptions or licences are required
• plan for the appropriate use of space and containers

This information can be combined with your waste estimates to set targets for:

• separating materials on site - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively
• recycling materials
• diverting waste from landfill

A site waste management plan (SWMP) will only be effective if everyone on the construction site knows what is expected of them. The SWMP should be made available to all contractors working on the project.

Site waste management plan communication methods

The type of communication you use will depend on the level of knowledge required about the SWMP. Possible methods include:

• introducing the SWMP as part of the site induction process, possibly incorporated within the usual health and safety induction
• short, effective talks by supervisors on waste management, reminding people about health and safety issues, for example toolbox talks
• higher-level workshops involving the project team to identify progress on the SWMP and how it is being implemented
• displaying posters that raise awareness and keep waste 'on the agenda'
• newsletters to update site personnel

There are also many informal communication mechanisms that can be used.

You can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated on your construction site by looking at the way in which materials are specified, designed, procured and supplied. You can reduce the amount of materials you waste by improving your ordering systems, using products with less packaging and setting up take-back schemes with suppliers.

To make this happen, the whole supply chain should be involved in your site waste management process.

Site waste management plans and your supply chain

You should consider:

• specifying products that create less waste and are not hazardous if they become waste
• using off-site prefabrication and modular construction
• setting up agreements with suppliers to take back excess materials and packaging, for example plasterboard and insulation off-cuts
• adopting systems such as 'just-in-time' delivery
• specifying packaging that you can reuse and recycle
• reusing waste generated on site
• using materials and products with a high recycled content
• batching materials on site
• establishing good quality control systems to inspect materials delivered to site for damage before they are accepted

You should plan carefully the way you deliver, store and transport materials around a construction site. Bad planning can lead to significant quantities of unnecessary waste, contamination of non-hazardous waste by hazardous waste and increased risk of pollution incidents. For example, leaving building materials unprotected can mean they get spoiled and have to be scrapped if it rains or the site becomes muddy.

Site waste management plans and separating waste

Where possible, you should separate different waste materials on site. This makes it easier to reuse materials and can save you money, as materials that have been separated for recycling are usually more valuable to the waste industry than those that are mixed.

You should also:

• Label containers clearly. A national colour coding scheme has been developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers and Waste Aware Construction.
• Allocate designated areas for containers in suitable locations.
• Empty containers regularly to avoid running out of space and prevent possible contamination.
• Make sure that your staff are adequately trained and know how the system works - see site waste management communication and training.
• Audit the scheme, for example by carrying out spot checks.

You need to consider space for separating waste when planning the project. Think about using systems such as compaction, as many skips have up to 40 per cent empty space when they appear full.

You can set up systems with your waste management contractor to ensure that:

• the correct types of containers are provided
• you receive help in monitoring, enforcement and training
• there are end markets for the waste materials that you separated

Site waste management plans and hazardous waste

You must separate all hazardous waste on site to make sure it is stored safely and to avoid contaminating other waste with hazardous materials. Hazardous waste includes asbestos, oil, chemicals and electrical equipment with hazardous components such as fluorescent light tubes - see dealing with hazardous waste.

Site waste management plan duty of care

You must make sure that all waste on the site is handled and disposed of correctly by meeting duty of care requirements. A site waste management plan should provide a framework to ensure that the site complies with the waste duty of care. This includes:

• ensuring that all waste is stored safely and securely
• checking that all waste contractors have the appropriate licences or exemptions
• keeping copies of all waste transfer notes for two years
• using the waste hierarchy when deciding how to deal with your waste

You should assign someone to collect relevant construction waste data as part of your site waste management plan (SWMP). This information can then help you identify whether any targets you set are likely to be met and what actions, if any, need to be taken.

Site waste management plan data collection

You can collect different types of data on the waste generated from the construction project, including:

• the type and quantity of waste generated on site
• the proportion that is separated
• reuse rates on and off site, recycling rates and diversion of waste from landfill
• the proportion of different materials wasted
• costs and savings
• movements of waste
• sources of waste
• a waste profile over the course of the project
• volumes of damaged materials

Your waste management contractor can provide at least some of this waste data, especially if this service is written into the contract.

On-site contractors can use their own systems to record the type and amount of waste generated - usually in volume. Contractors can also analyse the information on waste transfer notes.

Site waste management plan data analysis, benchmarking and setting targets

By analysing your data, you can:

• provide feedback to site workers, clients, designers and other members of the project team
• monitor the site's performance in minimising waste
• set realistic targets within the SWMP - these should also be reviewed regularly
• provide information for corporate reports

It is also useful to compare the actual amount of waste arising and the associated costs with the predicted values. This will help you set waste reduction targets in the future.

Site waste management plan key performance indicators (KPIs)

KPIs can be used to compare performance across sites, business-wide, against previous projects and against national averages.

You can read more about KPIs in how to set environmental performance targets.

Once a site waste management plan (SWMP) is implemented at your construction site, it is important you review it regularly to ensure it is being followed, it's still practical and appropriate, and is amended as necessary. For example, the SWMP could be included as an agenda item for weekly, fortnightly or monthly meetings.

You can also arrange for the SWMP to be audited by an appropriate person - for example, someone from the head office environmental team of the principal contractor - to ensure its effectiveness.

Apply lessons from a site waste management plan

It is important that recommendations and lessons learned from one SWMP can be applied to other sites and throughout the business. This can be achieved by:

• debriefing the client and project team on the SWMP's successes, targets, recommendations and good and bad practice
• including the SWMP as an agenda item for post-contract reviews
• establishing benchmarks and new targets based on SWMP experience
• holding educational or training workshops within the business
• asking the head office environmental team to audit and collate SWMP information from all sites and make business-wide recommendations
• updating policies and procedures - including environmental management systems
• incorporating the results in annual reports and business newsletters
• establishing an area for SWMPs on the business' intranet
• agreeing financial incentives for meeting or exceeding targets
• providing feedback to the procurement and design teams, sub-contractors, suppliers and waste management contractors
• using previous SWMP information and experiences for new tenders, pre-qualification exercises and pre-contract meetings

A site waste management plan is a document that describes, in detail, the amount and type of waste from a construction project and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of.

Types of site waste management plan

There are two main types of site waste management plan:

• A basic site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost between £300,000 and £500,000.
• An advanced site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost over £500,000.

The project costs include the value of plant, labour, materials, overheads and profit but exclude the value of land and VAT.

There may be a number of people involved in producing different aspects of the site waste management plan.

A site waste management plan could help you reduce costs and improve the environmental performance of your construction projects.

Site waste management plans are not a legal requirement in Northern Ireland, however they are a useful tool for reducing waste and costs from construction projects. 

You can also download an example site waste management plan proforma (DOC, 77k).

The first step in preparing the site management waste plan (SWMP) is deciding who will write it.

Who should write a site management waste plan?

Ideally the SWMP should be written at the pre-planning stage. It is likely that the developer, client or the architect's representative may produce it. A specific individual should be responsible for both writing and implementing the SWMP.

If the SWMP is written at the pre-planning stage of the project the client should draft the Plan. The principal contractor should then keep the SWMP up to date as the construction project progresses.

When to write a site management waste plan

Starting the SWMP at the earliest opportunity - preferably at the conception and design phase - will produce the most effective plan. This enables you to consider the materials and methods of construction in minimising the amount of waste.

It is important that the person writing the SWMP has knowledge of waste issues and the construction programme. Ideally they should also be responsible for putting the SWMP in place.

It is essential that the SWMP is 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵed by management and accepted by the wider team. The writer should involve the project team from the beginning when they put the SWMP together. The project team may include:

• the client
• the design team
• the environmental team
• any sub-contractors - especially the demolition contractor
• the entire supply chain

Each part of the team can help reduce the amount of waste produced. For example, clients can help by thinking about how the SWMP impacts on contractors, including contract clauses that ensure waste is properly managed and using preferred suppliers that use their resources efficiently.

Designers and architects could use standard-sized materials when specifying designs, include waste minimisation strategies during construction, incorporate deconstruction into their designs for easier recycling and use recycled or reclaimed material where possible.

Suppliers could reduce the volume of product packaging and offer a take-back service to minimise wasted materials. This is important for materials such as plasterboard that are banned from landfill sites.

Contractors and sub-contractors can help by putting waste into appropriate skips, avoiding over ordering, reducing offcuts through careful management of materials, handling and storing materials appropriately, avoiding the use of hazardous materials and adopting waste management best practice techniques.

It is important that the SWMP is communicated effectively to everyone on site, and that training is provided - see site waste management communication and training.

Appointing a person responsible for your site waste management plan

One competent person on site - for example the principal contractor - should be made responsible for implementing the SWMP. This person needs to:

• communicate the SWMP to everyone on site and motivate them to follow it
• provide or source the necessary resources and training
• have a good knowledge of the contract and the various parties involved

It may also be helpful to nominate someone on site as a waste champion to:

• promote awareness of the SWMP
• monitor and report on waste generation
• monitor and enforce waste separation
• monitor the effectiveness of the SWMP
• form a good working relationship with the waste management contractor
• encourage suggestions for better waste management on site

For more information on waste champions and changing behaviour, see making the case for environmental improvements.

Your site waste management plan (SWMP) should list the client, the principal contractor, the writer, the site location and the estimated project cost. It should be kept on the construction site.

It must include a statement on any decisions taken before the SWMP was written about how to minimise waste produced on site. This should contain information such as design specifications, material choice or construction methods, such as pre-fabrication.

The SWMP should estimate what types of waste are likely to be produced and in what quantities. It should also describe what waste management actions are proposed, including reuse, recycling, other types of recovery - eg composting or energy recovery - and disposal.

Finally, the SWMP should declare that all waste produced on the site is dealt with according to the waste duty of care - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively.

Basic site waste management plans

A basic SWMP may be suitable for all projects between £300,000 and £500,000. This includes the value of materials, plant, labour, overheads and profit, but excludes the value of land and VAT.

A basic SWMP should:

• identify the licensed operators who remove the waste
• record the types of waste removed
• use the List of Wastes code
• record all waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes
• note where the waste is being taken
• be monitored and updated as works progress

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include confirmation that it was regularly monitored and updated, and an explanation of any deviations from the plan.

Advanced site waste management plans

An advanced SWMP may be suitable for all projects above £500,000 in value. The advanced SWMP is more comprehensive than the basic SWMP, and the principal contractor should make sure that they also:

• know the identity and waste carrier registration number of the person moving the waste
• keep a written description of the waste
• check details of the permits or exemptions held by the sites that the waste is taken to
• update the plan as often as necessary to ensure it reflects the progress of the project - this must be at least every six months
• keep a record of the types and quantities of wastes that are reused, recycled, recovered or disposed both on and off the site

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include:

• a comparison between the forecast and actual waste
• an explanation of any differences between the forecasted and actual levels of waste produced
• an estimate of the cost savings that were achieved through implementing the SWMP

All SWMPs should include a declaration signed by the client and the principal contractor. The principal contractor should keep the SWMP for two years after completion of the project.

When producing a site waste management plan (SWMP), you will need to know the types and quantities of waste that may be produced during each stage of the work programme. This will help you to plan for the waste containers that you will need for the different construction project stages and when it is best to start separating out different types of waste. By considering your materials and methods at the planning and design phase you can achieve the biggest savings, for example by designing out waste and identifying opportunities for reusing materials.

Common types of waste in site waste management plans

The following wastes are usually produced during a project's life cycle:

• inert wastes - eg concrete, bricks and blocks - will be generated in the first phases of the project
• timber waste may be generated throughout the project
• plastic and packaging waste will tend to increase as the project progresses
• some waste types - eg office and canteen waste - will be present throughout the project

You should include any waste from demolition works in your estimates. You can estimate this by carrying out a pre-demolition audit.

Site waste management plan options for reducing construction waste

Once you have estimated the likely on-site waste, your strategy for managing it must follow the 'waste hierarchy'. This can help you to choose the most cost-effective options that have the least impact on the environment.

Start by considering how to prevent and reduce waste. Then look at ways of reusing and recycling waste, and recovery options such as composting and energy-from-waste. You must only dispose of waste, such as to landfill, as a last resort.

Waste management planning will help you to:

• decide whether any specialised equipment is required on site
• provide advance warning if exemptions or licences are required
• plan for the appropriate use of space and containers

This information can be combined with your waste estimates to set targets for:

• separating materials on site - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively
• recycling materials
• diverting waste from landfill

A site waste management plan (SWMP) will only be effective if everyone on the construction site knows what is expected of them. The SWMP should be made available to all contractors working on the project.

Site waste management plan communication methods

The type of communication you use will depend on the level of knowledge required about the SWMP. Possible methods include:

• introducing the SWMP as part of the site induction process, possibly incorporated within the usual health and safety induction
• short, effective talks by supervisors on waste management, reminding people about health and safety issues, for example toolbox talks
• higher-level workshops involving the project team to identify progress on the SWMP and how it is being implemented
• displaying posters that raise awareness and keep waste 'on the agenda'
• newsletters to update site personnel

There are also many informal communication mechanisms that can be used.

You can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated on your construction site by looking at the way in which materials are specified, designed, procured and supplied. You can reduce the amount of materials you waste by improving your ordering systems, using products with less packaging and setting up take-back schemes with suppliers.

To make this happen, the whole supply chain should be involved in your site waste management process.

Site waste management plans and your supply chain

You should consider:

• specifying products that create less waste and are not hazardous if they become waste
• using off-site prefabrication and modular construction
• setting up agreements with suppliers to take back excess materials and packaging, for example plasterboard and insulation off-cuts
• adopting systems such as 'just-in-time' delivery
• specifying packaging that you can reuse and recycle
• reusing waste generated on site
• using materials and products with a high recycled content
• batching materials on site
• establishing good quality control systems to inspect materials delivered to site for damage before they are accepted

You should plan carefully the way you deliver, store and transport materials around a construction site. Bad planning can lead to significant quantities of unnecessary waste, contamination of non-hazardous waste by hazardous waste and increased risk of pollution incidents. For example, leaving building materials unprotected can mean they get spoiled and have to be scrapped if it rains or the site becomes muddy.

Site waste management plans and separating waste

Where possible, you should separate different waste materials on site. This makes it easier to reuse materials and can save you money, as materials that have been separated for recycling are usually more valuable to the waste industry than those that are mixed.

You should also:

• Label containers clearly. A national colour coding scheme has been developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers and Waste Aware Construction.
• Allocate designated areas for containers in suitable locations.
• Empty containers regularly to avoid running out of space and prevent possible contamination.
• Make sure that your staff are adequately trained and know how the system works - see site waste management communication and training.
• Audit the scheme, for example by carrying out spot checks.

You need to consider space for separating waste when planning the project. Think about using systems such as compaction, as many skips have up to 40 per cent empty space when they appear full.

You can set up systems with your waste management contractor to ensure that:

• the correct types of containers are provided
• you receive help in monitoring, enforcement and training
• there are end markets for the waste materials that you separated

Site waste management plans and hazardous waste

You must separate all hazardous waste on site to make sure it is stored safely and to avoid contaminating other waste with hazardous materials. Hazardous waste includes asbestos, oil, chemicals and electrical equipment with hazardous components such as fluorescent light tubes - see dealing with hazardous waste.

Site waste management plan duty of care

You must make sure that all waste on the site is handled and disposed of correctly by meeting duty of care requirements. A site waste management plan should provide a framework to ensure that the site complies with the waste duty of care. This includes:

• ensuring that all waste is stored safely and securely
• checking that all waste contractors have the appropriate licences or exemptions
• keeping copies of all waste transfer notes for two years
• using the waste hierarchy when deciding how to deal with your waste

You should assign someone to collect relevant construction waste data as part of your site waste management plan (SWMP). This information can then help you identify whether any targets you set are likely to be met and what actions, if any, need to be taken.

Site waste management plan data collection

You can collect different types of data on the waste generated from the construction project, including:

• the type and quantity of waste generated on site
• the proportion that is separated
• reuse rates on and off site, recycling rates and diversion of waste from landfill
• the proportion of different materials wasted
• costs and savings
• movements of waste
• sources of waste
• a waste profile over the course of the project
• volumes of damaged materials

Your waste management contractor can provide at least some of this waste data, especially if this service is written into the contract.

On-site contractors can use their own systems to record the type and amount of waste generated - usually in volume. Contractors can also analyse the information on waste transfer notes.

Site waste management plan data analysis, benchmarking and setting targets

By analysing your data, you can:

• provide feedback to site workers, clients, designers and other members of the project team
• monitor the site's performance in minimising waste
• set realistic targets within the SWMP - these should also be reviewed regularly
• provide information for corporate reports

It is also useful to compare the actual amount of waste arising and the associated costs with the predicted values. This will help you set waste reduction targets in the future.

Site waste management plan key performance indicators (KPIs)

KPIs can be used to compare performance across sites, business-wide, against previous projects and against national averages.

You can read more about KPIs in how to set environmental performance targets.

Once a site waste management plan (SWMP) is implemented at your construction site, it is important you review it regularly to ensure it is being followed, it's still practical and appropriate, and is amended as necessary. For example, the SWMP could be included as an agenda item for weekly, fortnightly or monthly meetings.

You can also arrange for the SWMP to be audited by an appropriate person - for example, someone from the head office environmental team of the principal contractor - to ensure its effectiveness.

Apply lessons from a site waste management plan

It is important that recommendations and lessons learned from one SWMP can be applied to other sites and throughout the business. This can be achieved by:

• debriefing the client and project team on the SWMP's successes, targets, recommendations and good and bad practice
• including the SWMP as an agenda item for post-contract reviews
• establishing benchmarks and new targets based on SWMP experience
• holding educational or training workshops within the business
• asking the head office environmental team to audit and collate SWMP information from all sites and make business-wide recommendations
• updating policies and procedures - including environmental management systems
• incorporating the results in annual reports and business newsletters
• establishing an area for SWMPs on the business' intranet
• agreeing financial incentives for meeting or exceeding targets
• providing feedback to the procurement and design teams, sub-contractors, suppliers and waste management contractors
• using previous SWMP information and experiences for new tenders, pre-qualification exercises and pre-contract meetings

A site waste management plan is a document that describes, in detail, the amount and type of waste from a construction project and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of.

Types of site waste management plan

There are two main types of site waste management plan:

• A basic site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost between £300,000 and £500,000.
• An advanced site waste management plan is suitable for all projects that cost over £500,000.

The project costs include the value of plant, labour, materials, overheads and profit but exclude the value of land and VAT.

There may be a number of people involved in producing different aspects of the site waste management plan.

A site waste management plan could help you reduce costs and improve the environmental performance of your construction projects.

Site waste management plans are not a legal requirement in Northern Ireland, however they are a useful tool for reducing waste and costs from construction projects. 

You can also download an example site waste management plan proforma (DOC, 77k).

The first step in preparing the site management waste plan (SWMP) is deciding who will write it.

Who should write a site management waste plan?

Ideally the SWMP should be written at the pre-planning stage. It is likely that the developer, client or the architect's representative may produce it. A specific individual should be responsible for both writing and implementing the SWMP.

If the SWMP is written at the pre-planning stage of the project the client should draft the Plan. The principal contractor should then keep the SWMP up to date as the construction project progresses.

When to write a site management waste plan

Starting the SWMP at the earliest opportunity - preferably at the conception and design phase - will produce the most effective plan. This enables you to consider the materials and methods of construction in minimising the amount of waste.

It is important that the person writing the SWMP has knowledge of waste issues and the construction programme. Ideally they should also be responsible for putting the SWMP in place.

It is essential that the SWMP is 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵed by management and accepted by the wider team. The writer should involve the project team from the beginning when they put the SWMP together. The project team may include:

• the client
• the design team
• the environmental team
• any sub-contractors - especially the demolition contractor
• the entire supply chain

Each part of the team can help reduce the amount of waste produced. For example, clients can help by thinking about how the SWMP impacts on contractors, including contract clauses that ensure waste is properly managed and using preferred suppliers that use their resources efficiently.

Designers and architects could use standard-sized materials when specifying designs, include waste minimisation strategies during construction, incorporate deconstruction into their designs for easier recycling and use recycled or reclaimed material where possible.

Suppliers could reduce the volume of product packaging and offer a take-back service to minimise wasted materials. This is important for materials such as plasterboard that are banned from landfill sites.

Contractors and sub-contractors can help by putting waste into appropriate skips, avoiding over ordering, reducing offcuts through careful management of materials, handling and storing materials appropriately, avoiding the use of hazardous materials and adopting waste management best practice techniques.

It is important that the SWMP is communicated effectively to everyone on site, and that training is provided - see site waste management communication and training.

Appointing a person responsible for your site waste management plan

One competent person on site - for example the principal contractor - should be made responsible for implementing the SWMP. This person needs to:

• communicate the SWMP to everyone on site and motivate them to follow it
• provide or source the necessary resources and training
• have a good knowledge of the contract and the various parties involved

It may also be helpful to nominate someone on site as a waste champion to:

• promote awareness of the SWMP
• monitor and report on waste generation
• monitor and enforce waste separation
• monitor the effectiveness of the SWMP
• form a good working relationship with the waste management contractor
• encourage suggestions for better waste management on site

For more information on waste champions and changing behaviour, see making the case for environmental improvements.

Your site waste management plan (SWMP) should list the client, the principal contractor, the writer, the site location and the estimated project cost. It should be kept on the construction site.

It must include a statement on any decisions taken before the SWMP was written about how to minimise waste produced on site. This should contain information such as design specifications, material choice or construction methods, such as pre-fabrication.

The SWMP should estimate what types of waste are likely to be produced and in what quantities. It should also describe what waste management actions are proposed, including reuse, recycling, other types of recovery - eg composting or energy recovery - and disposal.

Finally, the SWMP should declare that all waste produced on the site is dealt with according to the waste duty of care - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively.

Basic site waste management plans

A basic SWMP may be suitable for all projects between £300,000 and £500,000. This includes the value of materials, plant, labour, overheads and profit, but excludes the value of land and VAT.

A basic SWMP should:

• identify the licensed operators who remove the waste
• record the types of waste removed
• use the List of Wastes code
• record all waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes
• note where the waste is being taken
• be monitored and updated as works progress

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include confirmation that it was regularly monitored and updated, and an explanation of any deviations from the plan.

Advanced site waste management plans

An advanced SWMP may be suitable for all projects above £500,000 in value. The advanced SWMP is more comprehensive than the basic SWMP, and the principal contractor should make sure that they also:

• know the identity and waste carrier registration number of the person moving the waste
• keep a written description of the waste
• check details of the permits or exemptions held by the sites that the waste is taken to
• update the plan as often as necessary to ensure it reflects the progress of the project - this must be at least every six months
• keep a record of the types and quantities of wastes that are reused, recycled, recovered or disposed both on and off the site

Within three months of the project being completed, the SWMP should be updated to include:

• a comparison between the forecast and actual waste
• an explanation of any differences between the forecasted and actual levels of waste produced
• an estimate of the cost savings that were achieved through implementing the SWMP

All SWMPs should include a declaration signed by the client and the principal contractor. The principal contractor should keep the SWMP for two years after completion of the project.

When producing a site waste management plan (SWMP), you will need to know the types and quantities of waste that may be produced during each stage of the work programme. This will help you to plan for the waste containers that you will need for the different construction project stages and when it is best to start separating out different types of waste. By considering your materials and methods at the planning and design phase you can achieve the biggest savings, for example by designing out waste and identifying opportunities for reusing materials.

Common types of waste in site waste management plans

The following wastes are usually produced during a project's life cycle:

• inert wastes - eg concrete, bricks and blocks - will be generated in the first phases of the project
• timber waste may be generated throughout the project
• plastic and packaging waste will tend to increase as the project progresses
• some waste types - eg office and canteen waste - will be present throughout the project

You should include any waste from demolition works in your estimates. You can estimate this by carrying out a pre-demolition audit.

Site waste management plan options for reducing construction waste

Once you have estimated the likely on-site waste, your strategy for managing it must follow the 'waste hierarchy'. This can help you to choose the most cost-effective options that have the least impact on the environment.

Start by considering how to prevent and reduce waste. Then look at ways of reusing and recycling waste, and recovery options such as composting and energy-from-waste. You must only dispose of waste, such as to landfill, as a last resort.

Waste management planning will help you to:

• decide whether any specialised equipment is required on site
• provide advance warning if exemptions or licences are required
• plan for the appropriate use of space and containers

This information can be combined with your waste estimates to set targets for:

• separating materials on site - see how to store and handle construction waste materials effectively
• recycling materials
• diverting waste from landfill

A site waste management plan (SWMP) will only be effective if everyone on the construction site knows what is expected of them. The SWMP should be made available to all contractors working on the project.

Site waste management plan communication methods

The type of communication you use will depend on the level of knowledge required about the SWMP. Possible methods include:

• introducing the SWMP as part of the site induction process, possibly incorporated within the usual health and safety induction
• short, effective talks by supervisors on waste management, reminding people about health and safety issues, for example toolbox talks
• higher-level workshops involving the project team to identify progress on the SWMP and how it is being implemented
• displaying posters that raise awareness and keep waste 'on the agenda'
• newsletters to update site personnel

There are also many informal communication mechanisms that can be used.

You can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated on your construction site by looking at the way in which materials are specified, designed, procured and supplied. You can reduce the amount of materials you waste by improving your ordering systems, using products with less packaging and setting up take-back schemes with suppliers.

To make this happen, the whole supply chain should be involved in your site waste management process.

Site waste management plans and your supply chain

You should consider:

• specifying products that create less waste and are not hazardous if they become waste
• using off-site prefabrication and modular construction
• setting up agreements with suppliers to take back excess materials and packaging, for example plasterboard and insulation off-cuts
• adopting systems such as 'just-in-time' delivery
• specifying packaging that you can reuse and recycle
• reusing waste generated on site
• using materials and products with a high recycled content
• batching materials on site
• establishing good quality control systems to inspect materials delivered to site for damage before they are accepted

You should plan carefully the way you deliver, store and transport materials around a construction site. Bad planning can lead to significant quantities of unnecessary waste, contamination of non-hazardous waste by hazardous waste and increased risk of pollution incidents. For example, leaving building materials unprotected can mean they get spoiled and have to be scrapped if it rains or the site becomes muddy.

Site waste management plans and separating waste

Where possible, you should separate different waste materials on site. This makes it easier to reuse materials and can save you money, as materials that have been separated for recycling are usually more valuable to the waste industry than those that are mixed.

You should also:

• Label containers clearly. A national colour coding scheme has been developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers and Waste Aware Construction.
• Allocate designated areas for containers in suitable locations.
• Empty containers regularly to avoid running out of space and prevent possible contamination.
• Make sure that your staff are adequately trained and know how the system works - see site waste management communication and training.
• Audit the scheme, for example by carrying out spot checks.

You need to consider space for separating waste when planning the project. Think about using systems such as compaction, as many skips have up to 40 per cent empty space when they appear full.

You can set up systems with your waste management contractor to ensure that:

• the correct types of containers are provided
• you receive help in monitoring, enforcement and training
• there are end markets for the waste materials that you separated

Site waste management plans and hazardous waste

You must separate all hazardous waste on site to make sure it is stored safely and to avoid contaminating other waste with hazardous materials. Hazardous waste includes asbestos, oil, chemicals and electrical equipment with hazardous components such as fluorescent light tubes - see dealing with hazardous waste.

Site waste management plan duty of care

You must make sure that all waste on the site is handled and disposed of correctly by meeting duty of care requirements. A site waste management plan should provide a framework to ensure that the site complies with the waste duty of care. This includes:

• ensuring that all waste is stored safely and securely
• checking that all waste contractors have the appropriate licences or exemptions
• keeping copies of all waste transfer notes for two years
• using the waste hierarchy when deciding how to deal with your waste

You should assign someone to collect relevant construction waste data as part of your site waste management plan (SWMP). This information can then help you identify whether any targets you set are likely to be met and what actions, if any, need to be taken.

Site waste management plan data collection

You can collect different types of data on the waste generated from the construction project, including:

• the type and quantity of waste generated on site
• the proportion that is separated
• reuse rates on and off site, recycling rates and diversion of waste from landfill
• the proportion of different materials wasted
• costs and savings
• movements of waste
• sources of waste
• a waste profile over the course of the project
• volumes of damaged materials

Your waste management contractor can provide at least some of this waste data, especially if this service is written into the contract.

On-site contractors can use their own systems to record the type and amount of waste generated - usually in volume. Contractors can also analyse the information on waste transfer notes.

Site waste management plan data analysis, benchmarking and setting targets

By analysing your data, you can:

• provide feedback to site workers, clients, designers and other members of the project team
• monitor the site's performance in minimising waste
• set realistic targets within the SWMP - these should also be reviewed regularly
• provide information for corporate reports

It is also useful to compare the actual amount of waste arising and the associated costs with the predicted values. This will help you set waste reduction targets in the future.

Site waste management plan key performance indicators (KPIs)

KPIs can be used to compare performance across sites, business-wide, against previous projects and against national averages.

You can read more about KPIs in how to set environmental performance targets.

Once a site waste management plan (SWMP) is implemented at your construction site, it is important you review it regularly to ensure it is being followed, it's still practical and appropriate, and is amended as necessary. For example, the SWMP could be included as an agenda item for weekly, fortnightly or monthly meetings.

You can also arrange for the SWMP to be audited by an appropriate person - for example, someone from the head office environmental team of the principal contractor - to ensure its effectiveness.

Apply lessons from a site waste management plan

It is important that recommendations and lessons learned from one SWMP can be applied to other sites and throughout the business. This can be achieved by:

• debriefing the client and project team on the SWMP's successes, targets, recommendations and good and bad practice
• including the SWMP as an agenda item for post-contract reviews
• establishing benchmarks and new targets based on SWMP experience
• holding educational or training workshops within the business
• asking the head office environmental team to audit and collate SWMP information from all sites and make business-wide recommendations
• updating policies and procedures - including environmental management systems
• incorporating the results in annual reports and business newsletters
• establishing an area for SWMPs on the business' intranet
• agreeing financial incentives for meeting or exceeding targets
• providing feedback to the procurement and design teams, sub-contractors, suppliers and waste management contractors
• using previous SWMP information and experiences for new tenders, pre-qualification exercises and pre-contract meetings