The Arch

SWMPs, WRAPs and You

Making money, saving money, saving time – the order in which to appeal to any client. How can architects and designers assist their clients in these aims?

Voluntary Site Waste Management Plans (“SWMP”) have been around since 2004 but waste management is no longer an optional extra – SWMP Regulations were introduced on 6th April 2008 for projects in excess of £300,000 excluding VAT. The Regulations impose obligations which aim to halve the amount of waste going to landfill by 2012. Waste management is and should be central to the planning, design and construction of all sustainable developments – waste should be designed out.

Achieving greater efficiency in construction projects is now increasingly important financially, firstly to avoid the spiralling costs of landfill tax, at present £32 per tonne, rising to £40 per tonne in April of next year, and to £48 per tonne in the following April. Secondly, to ensure regulatory compliance the SWMP Regulations 2008 impose a number of penalties for breach.

By employing more efficient waste minimisation and management methods, significant opportunities for costs savings can be introduced to a project. The indicators are that going beyond compliance with SWMP Regulations and implementing good practice will lead to project cost savings.

The Waste and Resource Action Plan (“WRAP”) provides new guidance for good practice in waste minimisation and has developed a set of templates for Site Waste Management Plans. They are designed to achieve legislative compliance and to demonstrate good practice by identifying opportunities to reduce waste, to establish key performance indicators and targets as well as measuring and reporting on performance. The templates cover three key areas – general construction, civil engineering and housing. They apply to all sizes of project and all types of construction and are backed by operating instructions, detailed guidance notes etc.

The templates and guidance can be used as tools to identify improvements where the use of SWMPs are already being implemented. By using the tools that are available if not helping the client to make money, we can surely help the client by saving money and saving time.

If you require any further information on this, please contact Debra Mansfield of the Construction & Engineering team on debra.mansfield@harveyingram.com or 0116 257 4421.