Measuring and benchmarking construction, refurbishment and demolition waste

BRE are carrying out a project funded by DEFRA to establish minimum reporting requirements for construction, refurbishment and demolition waste and to generate self-updating performance indicators and benchmark figures.

Currently, many contractors collect waste data - either through systems such as SMARTWaste, their own systems or from waste contractors. There is no consistent approach to collecting waste data at a site level which makes any aggregation and comparison of data virtually impossible.

From 6 April 08 with the legislation for Site Waste Management Plans (for projects over £300K in England), rising landfill costs and an increased interest from clients in sustainability there has never been a better time to start measuring and monitoring waste generated.

The project aims to bring data together to form self-updating performance indicators. We are looking for companies to supply waste data from their sites based on the minimum reporting requirements that have recently been developed (in consultation with the industry). All data will be treated as confidential and the data will be aggregated.

The benchmarking website is now live!

You can now enter data on the benchmarking website using the link: http://www.smartwaste.co.uk/wastebenchmarking/.

The data required falls into two categories:

1 Mandatory data is required for:

• Cost of project
• Floor area of project
• Project address and location
• Type of project e.g. residential, commercial etc
• Length of project (start and anticipated end date)
• Number of employees
• If the project is construction; refurbishment and/or demolition
• Type of construction (not currently mandatory).

2 Waste data

• Type of waste produced
• Amount of waste (tonnage and or/volume)
• Cost of waste
• Percentage segregated on-site, recycled on-site, recycled off-site, diverted from landfill

Performance Indicators

By using this data we will develop self generating performance indicators and benchmarks for waste which you will be able to have free access to (via this website). The performance indicators include:

• Overall tonnage by EWC codes / Unit size / 100 m² / project value
• Actual material and bulk breakdown in m³ / Monthly / Cumulative / Total
• Actual material and bulk breakdown in m³ / Unit size / 100 m² / Value
• % Rate segregated v. send to landfill
• Waste cost as % of project costs
• Waste cost as % of company turnover
• Waste cost / 100 m² floor area
• Waste cost / Unit
• Waste cost / £100,000
• Cost of segregation v. non segregation
• Waste produced by an employee
• Waste produced by man hours worked
• Hazardous waste removal cost as a % of total waste removal cost

These performance indicators can be broken down into project type, construction type, regions and also by % completion of the project. This is why it is important to obtain the mandatory data as shown above. Once we have enough data for these benchmarks we will able to set benchmarks for standard, good and best practice.

These performance indicators and benchmarks can then be used for:

• Setting of waste targets
• Comparison of performance at a site, company, regional and national level
• Estimation of waste throughout a project
• Set as contractual clauses/conditions for a project
• Used in Site Waste Management Plans
• Used for planning applications
• Provide data for the need for local and regional facilities

Existing SMARTWaste Performance Indicators

BRE have been able to develop indicators based on data entered into the SMARTStart system. The system currently measures:

• Environmental Performance Indicator (EPI): m³ of waste /100m² of floor area (as an actual and bulk volume)
• Key Performance Indicator (KPI); m³ of waste/£100,000 of project value (this is also measured by Constructing Excellence and is part of their suite of performance indicators)

The data for over 190 completed new build projects has been analysed and the Table below shows the average EPI and KPI for project type. Please note these figures are based on actual volume (not bulk volume). These EPIs were calculated in April 08; they will be updated in Summer 08.

The following performance indicators have been produced for various project types:

More detailed performance indicators for individual products by project type are also available, please click here to download.

What are the benefits for your sites/company for being involved?

• Be able to set realistic and attainable waste targets
• Know how much, what type of waste and when it will be generated for your projects
• Enable you to plan better for waste recovery both on and off site
• See the effects of implementing waste reduction
• Save disposal costs through better management of waste
• Help win tenders through environmental/waste commitments
• Be able to meet clients requirements
• Give you a head start with Site Waste Management Plans.

Please log on to the site via the link: http://www.smartwaste.co.uk/wastebenchmarking/ and register your company to start using the website. Alternatively send us an email to register your interest and we will contact you to discuss further.