SWMPs
This is a short guide to site waste management plans (SWMPS) and SWMP regulations.
What are SWMPs?
A SWMP has been required for construction projects worth over £300,000 in the UK since 2008. They are targeted at lessening waste from the construction and building industry, and at managing the waste that does result from such projects.
Who do SWMPs affect?
SWMPs affect building projects over a certain value, since they are theoretically more likely to create more site waste:
- people or businesses who supply the construction and building industries
- any person or business with a construction project worth more than £250,000.
- local authorities and other environmental regulatory bodies.
What should my Site Waste Management Plan contain?
SWMPs deals with site waste management and needs to report the types of waste expected to be created by the construction project, and make a note of any changes in its design that will change the amount and type of waste. The waste report also needs to address if the waste will be recycled, or disposed off another way.
What do I do with the plan once it's done?
The waste plan should be kept at the building site's office.
Can I get away without writing a Site Waste Management Plan?
The short answer is: no, you can't get away without a SWMP. If you allow the project to commence without a waste management plan, the principal contractor and the person overseeing the project may be liable to a prison sentence and/or a fine.
