Ashford Construction Projects
The Ashford Construction Project is a three year programme (2008-2011) providing advice and expertise on waste management and other aspects of construction to support delivery of sustainable growth in Ashford.
The project, funded by Ashford's Future and delivered by Remade South East, is providing free-of-charge support to construction companies and active sites across Ashford to divert 30,000 tonnes of waste away from landfill.
The following support is being offered through the project:
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Procurement assistance to minimise waste and increase recycled-content materials
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Support for construction companies to identify recycling companies
Development and implementation of Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) on 30 active sites across Ashford
Remade is using the Building Research Establishment's (BRE) SMARTWaste suite of construction data collection and monitoring tools to develop and implement Site Waste Management Plans. The tools are designed to help construction companies detail the types and quantities of waste being generated by projects and identify areas where materials can be reused or segregated for recycling.
More information about BRE's SMARTWaste tool can be found at: www.smartwaste.co.uk
Information about SWMP legislation can be found below.
Case Studies:
Three best practice case studies have been produced featuring the construction sites supported through the first year of the project. Each case study can be downloaded below.
Directline Structures Ltd: Going the extra sustainability mile in the design of new office space
Case study highlights:
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6 tonnes of plasterboard recycled
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3 tonnes of stone and soil reused on site
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Demonstration of exemplary environmental practice
Download Directline Structures case study (154 KB)
GSE Design & Build Ltd: Conserving natural resources in our backyards - a sustainable housing project in Ashford
Case study highlights:
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840 tonnes diverted from landfill
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£28,000 landfill tax savings
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Ecohomes 'Very Good' rating achieved
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SWMP template to be used across the company
Download GSE Design & Build case study (163 KB)
Hillreed Homes Ltd: Placing environment and community at the heart of a housing development
Case study highlights:
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100 tonnes diverted from landfill
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£3,200 landfill tax savings
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Staff education undertaken on site
Download Hillreed Homes Ltd case study (162 KB)
On-site tool-box talks
On-site staff training sessions are provided as part of the SWMP support carried out through this project. Toolbox talks are held to educate site staff (both employed staff and sub-contractors) about the importance of the Site Waste Management Plan and to explain which materials are being segregated for recycling. The aim of the training is to increase understanding of the recycling processes on site, increase recycling participation and reduce contamination of recyclable material.
Site Waste Management Plan training sessions
The training sessions are aimed at educating companies about environmental legislation impacting on their business with a specific focus on waste management and implementing SWMPs. The session also covers waste minimisation on and off site, on-site segregation of materials and sustainable procurement advice and guidance.
The next training session will be held on Wednesday 13th January 2010 in Ashford. If you would like to attend this session contact Remade South East.
Procurement assistance to minimise waste and increase recycled-content materials
As part of the project Remade has developed a set of sustainable construction information cards to help business to buy 'greener' building products. These cards feature a range of construction products promoting sustainably sourced and energy efficient materials that can replace conventional building materials.
Materials include: Sustainable and recycled insulation products, joinery, lime putty mortars, sun tubes, natural paints, rainwater harvesting, natural carpet, reclaimed materials, timber I-Joists, external wood sheathing, damp proof membranes, roof tiles, glass aggregate, plastic products and green roofs.
A PDF version of the sustainable construction information cards can be downloaded below:
Sustainable Construction Product Information Cards (2385 KB)
Support for construction companies to identify recycling companies
A waste construction guide has been produced on waste collection services available to construction companies working in and around the Ashford area. The Ashford Construction Recycling Guide brings together details of companies offering waste management and recycling services to the construction sector. Centralising this information should make it easier for construction companies to compare and contrast recycling services in terms of value and service provision.
The guide can be downloaded below:
The Ashford Construction Recycling Guide (592 KB)
Information about Site Waste Management Plans
SWMPs aim to address two key issues:
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Improving materials resource efficiency, by promoting the economic use of construction materials and methods so that waste is minimised and any waste that is produced can be reused, recycled or recovered in other ways before disposal options are explored; and
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Reducing fly-tipping, by restricting the opportunities available for the illegal disposal of waste by ensuring compliance with existing legal controls and providing a full audit trail of any waste that is removed from the construction site.
Although it is a legal requirement to write and implement a SWMP, the greatest cost savings are likely to be achieved as a result of the consideration of materials resource efficiency which will be a necessary part of the preparation, before the SWMP is drafted.
A SWMP is required if the construction work planned will cost more than £300,000. SWMPs can save money, but only if used to challenge the way resources are used. By thinking about minimising waste from the outset companies can save money on materials, disposal costs and labour and make a real difference to the bottom line. SWMPs should also make tracking waste more straightforward as a log will be kept of all waste paperwork in one document, assisting companies to comply with waste duty of care and reducing the risk of fly-tipping.
Engagement with the construction industry has in the past proved difficult. However as more companies are becoming aware of the new legislation they are now making an effort to find out what their responsibilities are.
It is vitally important that senior management are aware of the legislation and support all efforts to communicate responsibilities throughout their organisation.
Most companies now have someone responsible for environmental issues, usually someone who is keen for the company to do better things. Therefore engagement with the industry is a gradual process, as follows;
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Obtain buy-in from senior management to participate within the programme
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Meet with senior management and environment champion to explain the programme, what is expected of the company and identify suitable sites to trial the project
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Arrange site visit to meet with the site manager
Some companies have requested a site manager's workshop, usually held at their regular site manager's meeting, to explain who we are and what the programme is about. Others have requested toolbox talks on site to explain the programme to their suppliers and subcontractors, and what is expected of them during the programme period.
Once a site has been identified, details of the company and site are registered on the BRE SMARTWaste system (www.smartwaste.co.uk). This can be accessed from site via the internet, if they have the facility to do so, or from the company office. SMARTWaste is used to create the SWMP online, and also has the facility to print the document for use on site.
The duties of the company office management are to;
Initiate the SWMP
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Allocate responsibilities within the site team
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Communicate responsibilities at site level
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Ensure waste data is being recorded
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Periodically review the SWMP to ensure compliance
Once the site is complete a full review of the SWMP is undertaken at this point the company and site key performance indicators can be compared to the industry average. The information retained can then be used to make more accurate assessments of future SWMPs.
