Measuring and benchmarking construction, refurbishment and demolition waste

Benchmarking project

BRE have established minimum reporting requirements for construction, refurbishment and demolition waste as part of a project funded by DEFRA. The project collected waste data based on minimum reporting requirements (developed in consultation with industry) and used this data to form self-updating performance indicators and benchmark figures.

Current Performance Indicators

Data from the benchmarking website, BRE's SMARTStart system and SMARTWaste Plan have been used to develop Performance Indicators. The performance indicators are based on actual volumes for completed new build projects. The following indicators are currently measured and updated every three months:

Average m³ of waste /100m²of floor area for different project types
Average m³ of waste/£100,000 of project value (this is also measured by Constructing Excellence and is part of their suite of performance indicators) for different project types

You can download the latest benchmarking data by project type, just click here.

BRE also offer a service to produce more detailed performance indicators for waste arisings and waste management options. The performance indicators and benchmarks currently offered include:

Average m³ waste/100m² floor area by waste product by project type
Average m³ of waste/£100,000 of project value by waste product by project type.
% waste recycled
% waste reused
% waste landfilled
% waste diverted from landfill
Benchmarks for standard, good and best performance.

All these performance indicators can be produced for different project types and by region. Please email smartwaste@bre.co.uk for further information on these services and we will contact you to discuss your requirements.

SMARTWaste Plan

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) became a legal requirement for projects costing over £300,000 in April 2008. BRE have developed a new web-based Site Waste Management Plan tool, SMARTWaste Plan which is free to use.

As well as preparing, implementing and reviewing a SWMP, the tool includes an integrated waste measurement tool. You can register to use SMARTWaste Plan at http://www.smartwaste.co.uk/swmp/