Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) Overview

What are Site Waste Management Plans?

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) aim to reduce the amount of waste produced on construction sites and to prevent fly-tipping. SWMPs are intended to change the construction industry’s attitude to waste by raising the profile of waste planning.

Who will the proposals affect?

  • anyone planning a construction project costing more than £250,000
  • any construction project clients or architects that produce, manage or dispose of waste
  • suppliers to the construction industry
  • environmental regulators, i.e local authorities and the Environment Agency

Purpose of the proposals:

Defra is inviting views on proposals to make SWMPs legal requirement for construction projects in England and Wales. This would result in:

  • greater resource efficiency in the construction sector
  • improved re-use and recycling rates
  • a reduction in fly-tipping
  • a reduction in site accidents. 

The consultation includes draft regulations, a partial regulatory impact assessment (an assessment of the impact of the proposed regulations) and good practice guidance.

SWMP content:

The SWMP should:

  • identify the different types of waste that will be produced by the project, and note any changes in the design and materials specification that seek to minimise this waste
  • consider how to re-use, recycle or recover the different wastes produced by the project
  • require the construction company to demonstrate that it is complying with the duty of care regime
  • record the quantities of waste produced.

Key elements of the SWMP process:

  • One individual, usually the principal contractor, will be responsible for writing and implementing the SWMP.
  • There will be two levels of SWMP:
    • Standard - The standard SWMP will be for projects costing between £250,000 and £500,000
    • Detailed - The detailed SWMP will be for projects costing more than £500,000 and will require more detailed reporting
  • Local authorities and the Environment Agency will enforce SWMPs and they will impose penalties for failure to make, keep or produce a SWMP.
  • The government will issue guidance when the SWMP regulations come into force.

Timescale:

Defra will launch the consultation in March 2007 and the deadline for comments will be June 2007. The regulations should be in force by April 2008.