Free Site Waste Management Plan workshops

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Dec 16, 2005

WRAP and Envirowise show the way to implementing site waste management plans in the construction industry.

Sustainable development is now firmly on the agenda and as the biggest consumer of material resources, some 420 million tonnes per year, the construction sector is uniquely positioned to play a leading role.

One way in which the industry can respond very positively to this agenda is through materials resource efficiency.

WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) is working closely with every level of the construction supply chain to demonstrate the business case for a range of materials resource efficiency measures.

As part of this work, WRAP and Envirowise are to deliver a series of 14 free workshop events across England, Scotland and Wales in January and February 2006 focusing on the benefits to the UK construction industry of using Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs).

An unmissable opportunity, these events will highlight how an SWMP can assist site and project managers, builders and subcontractors, developers and consultants in minimising material wastage and maximising efficiency in the course of new build, regeneration and refurbishment and demolition projects.

Industry practitioners and experts will be joining WRAP and Envirowise to provide delegates with practical advice, illustrated by case studies focusing on real projects.

Using presentations, group exercises and open discussion sessions, the events will highlight on-site waste management issues and provide delegates with the necessary knowledge to address these by implementing a SWMP.

Mervyn Jones, Special Projects Manager for WRAP says: "Site Waste Management Plans are an important tool that can help address the rising costs of disposing of construction waste and also improve environmental performance.

In any construction project, they can help you deal more effectively with a variety of waste materials, develop a better understanding of a contractor's duty of care, and identify good practice that could improve profitability.

"Through these events, WRAP and Envirowise are aiming to promote good practice in waste management on construction and demolition sites in order to help the industry to realise the benefits of a more sustainable approach to resource use." Mike Payne of Envirowise says: "In order to thrive, companies need to start identifying ways to reduce waste and as part of its free FastTrack visit service to the construction industry, Envirowise recommends using Site Waste Management Plans as one tool for minimising waste costs." WRAP will also be offering further guidance on implementing materials resource efficiency measures with an additional series of events focusing on regeneration projects in March and April.

These events will focus on the effective recovery of materials from demolition projects and the procurement and re-use of recovered materials in new-build.

Further details on the Site Waste Management Plan workshops and other materials resource efficiency events can be obtained from www.wrap.org.uk/construction.

Free delegate places can be booked by e-mailing swmp@brayleino.co.uk or calling 0117 973 1173.

Dates and venues for SWMP workshop events.

Edinburgh The Corn Exchange Tuesday 10 January.

Exeter The Royal Clarence Hotel Thursday 12 January.

Bristol 100 Temple Street Tuesday 17 January.

Cardiff Holland House Hotel Thursday 19 January.

Birmingham Radisson SAS Tuesday 24 January.

Peterborough The Bull Hotel Thursday 26 January.

Nottingham Biocity Tuesday 31 January.

Manchester Palace Hotel Thursday 2 February.

Leeds Metropole Hotel Tuesday 7 February.

York Merchant Taylors Thursday 9 February.