Site Waste Management Planning

Under new legislation which came into force in England on April 6th 2008, anyone who intends to carry out a build project with an estimated cost greater than £300,000 (excluding VAT) must prepare a site waste management plan before construction work begins. Prowaste Management Services offers a full SWMP development service for clients and principle contractors, ensuring full compliance with the current legislative requirements.

The SWMP is produced at the very beginning of a project, enabling consideration to be given to the ways that waste can be reduced, reused or recycled. This process also helps to identifying at an early stage any waste materials that cannot be reused on the project, making it easier to find alternative uses for them.

A SWMP is a live document and as such, must be updated throughout the course of each project.

As a client you’re responsible for:
» producing the initial SWMP before construction work begins
» appointing the principal contractor
» passing the SWMP to the principal contractor
» updating the SWMP at least every three months (if you decide to manage the project yourself)

As a principal contractor you’re responsible for:
» obtaining relevant information from sub-contractors
» updating the SWMP at least every three months as the project progresses
» keeping the SWMP on site during the project
» ensuring that other contractors know where the SWMP is kept
» allowing other contractors and the client access to the SWMP during the project
» handing the completed SWMP back to the client at the end of the project
» keeping a copy of the SWMP for two years

What should the SWMP contain?
The level of detail required depends on the estimated build cost, excluding VAT.

For projects estimated at between £300,000 and £500,000 (excluding VAT) the SWMP should contain details of:
» the types of waste removed from the site
» the identity of the person who removed the waste
» the site that the waste is taken to

For projects estimated at over £500,000 (excluding VAT) the SWMP should contain details of:
» the types of waste removed from the site
» the identity of the person who removed the waste and their waste carrier registration number
» a description of the waste
» the site that the waste was taken to
» the environmental permit or exemption held by the site where the material is taken

At the end of the project, you must review the plan and record the reasons for any differences between the plan and what actually happened. You must still comply with the duty of care for waste, however as the SWMP records all waste movements in one document, having it will help you to ensure that you comply with this duty of care.

For more information please contact us by phone, fax or email.