Approximately 13% of all the solid materials delivered to construction sites goes unused, and up to one third ends up in landfill. Around a third of all fly tipping includes waste from the construction, demolition and excavation sectors.
 
Yesterday's consultation proposes to make Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) a legal requirement for all projects in England worth over £250,000. Those responsible for SWMPs would need to assess the waste that will be produced on a construction site and detail how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of.
 
During construction, the SWMPs 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.
 
SWMPs should also help the construction industry get maximum value out of its waste and make better use of resources.
 
Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "Each year 400 million tonnes of solid materials are used in the UK construction industry but only two-thirds is added to the building stock. The rest is sent directly to landfill.
 
"Rising levels of waste crime are stopping us from achieving a sustainable construction sector, and rising numbers of fly-tips around the country, many of which are made up of construction and demolition waste, adversely affects the quality of life in many communities.
 
The anticipated benefits of SWMPs include saving the construction industry money, improving site safety, and closing down the market for illegal waste operators.