| Construction industry backs recycling plans |
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| Tuesday, 02 October 2007 | |
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Three-quarters of the construction industry backs legislation on recycling, the Government claimed. A government consultation found that 75% of those in the construction industry support the idea of legally binding Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) to reduce illegal waste disposal and improve efficiency. It is estimated that 109m tonnes of waste is produced annually on construction sites in England and Wales. Around 13% of all the solid materials delivered to construction sites goes unused, and up to one third ends up in landfill. SWMPs aim to reduce the quantity of materials used and to encourage reuse and recycling, as well as environmentally sustainable disposal where necessary. The plans would require an assessment of the waste to be produced on a construction site and detail how it would be reused, disposed of, or recycled. During construction, the plans would be updated to record what actually happens to the waste, including the legitimate disposal of materials that cannot be reused or recycled. This audit trail would reduce the potential for fly-tipping and increase the accountability of contractors. The minister for Waste, Joan Ruddock, said: "This level of support for our proposals is very welcome. The Government is determined to drive down waste production and increase recycling and re-use. It is very good to have the backing of the industry as we move towards new Regulations." The views from the consultation will now feed into the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs preparation of regulations to come into force in England in 2008. |