Helping construction industry with hazardous waste

Small businesses in construction sector invited to take part in HAZRED project, established to help companies reduce the amount of hazardous waste they produce - and save money.

Small businesses in the construction sector are being invited to take part in a new EU-funded project, established to help companies reduce the amount of hazardous waste they produce - and save money.

The three-year HAZRED project aims to demonstrate the benefits of setting waste reduction targets and developing waste reduction plans in partnership with industry sectors that have a large proportion of small businesses.

The construction industry, which generates approximately 72,000 t/a of hazardous waste, is one of six priority sectors selected for the HAZRED project.

HAZRED is looking to work with 20 small businesses in the sector to monitor and evaluate reduction in hazardous waste produced and cost savings achieved.

Participating businesses will receive access to the hazardous waste reduction plan, developed by a team of experts including regulators and industry trade associations, which includes reduction targets.

They will also benefit from on-site training with a specialist adviser, including help with implementation, monitoring and evaluating waste outputs and cost savings.

Ongoing support and advice will also be available through the HAZRED hotline, website and a dedicated email address.

Tom Dibaja, External Affairs Manager at the Federation of Master Builders, has been involved in developing the hazardous waste reduction plan for the sector.

He commented: "The vast majority of our industry is made up of small businesses with less than 10 employees".

"Many of these businesses simply do not have the time and resources to dedicate to environmental issues".

"The introduction of the new Hazardous Waste Regulations and changes in the legislation governing landfill sites means that construction businesses are facing new waste management challenges and higher waste disposal costs".

"We are pleased to support the HAZRED project which should help our industry save money by reducing their waste and improving process efficiency".

Jon Foreman from the HAZRED project said: "The HAZRED project will work closely with businesses in this sector to demonstrate how a focused, industry specific approach could help to reduce hazardous waste arisings".

"By introducing a systematic waste prevention programme, businesses can not only ensure they comply with environmental regulations but cut costs as well".

Businesses and stakeholders in the construction sector who are interested in taking part in the project can find out more by contact Naomi Davidson at the Environment Agency on 0117 914 2721 or by emailing naomi.davidson@environment-agency.gov.uk.

To find out more about HAZRED, businesses can visit www.hazred.org.uk, which has a section dedicated to the industry.

The HAZRED project is an EU-Life partnership project between the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Irish Environmental Protection Agency, the Welsh Assembly Government, Envirowise, the Groundwork Foundation, SafetyKleen, and the Waste Recycling Group.

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