Waste management plans are strategic frameworks designed to efficiently handle the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste materials. These plans are essential for minimising the environmental impact of waste, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring compliance with local and national standards.

By outlining specific procedures and responsibilities, waste management plans facilitate the systematic reduction, reuse and recycling of waste, contributing to the conservation of natural resources and the protection of public health.

By implementing optimal, sustainable waste management plans in accordance with the Waste (Management) Hierarchy, Sweco’s consultants can help you significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, contributing to land, air, and water pollution.

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP)

Working in accordance with the Site Waste Management Plan Regulations (SWMP) 2008, Sweco can develop a SWMP enabling the Principal Contractor to demonstrate how waste generated during the project will be minimised and controlled to reduce impacts during construction.

The SWMP regulations were revoked in December 2013 and is therefore A SWMP is not legally required, however, whilst these regulations no longer apply, a SWMP is required as a duty of care in accordance with Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

This requires anyone who intends to carry out a project on any construction site with an estimated construction cost greater than £300,000 (excluding VAT) should formulate a SWMP prior to construction works commencing.

The key objective of the SWMP is waste prevention.  Following this and working in accordance with the waste hierarchy (below), its aim it to then reduce and manage the quantity of waste produced at all stages during the construction of a project.

The Principal Contractor should appoint a responsible person(s) to take responsibility for inputting and updating the SWMP throughout the course of the project to reflect the construction plan and the associated quantities of waste anticipated throughout the construction phase.

This appointed person(s) must clearly understand their responsibilities detailed within the SWMP and have the authority to ensure that others will cooperate with their duty of care.

The principal Contractor should:

• Ensure all waste materials are considered at each stage of the proposed scheme and that all waste streams are dealt with appropriately and as sustainably as
• Identify each waste type expected to be produced during the course of the project, which should include existing demolition materials as well as surplus waste from materials imported to site.
• Estimate the quantity of each waste type expected to be produced throughout construction.
• Record and outline how and where waste will be separated and stored on site including control measures put in place to ensure compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements.
• Identify the waste management action proposed for each waste type, including re-using, recycling, recovery and disposal.
• Ensure the SWMP is updated throughout construction.

In support of the Site Waste Management Plan, Sweco can also undertake a Pre-Demolition or Pre-Redevelopment Waste Audit (PWA) on existing buildings, structures and hardstanding surfaces present at the site, to determine if the refurbishment and/or reuse of key demolition products is feasible or, if not, to maximise the recovery of material(s) from demolition for subsequent high grade/value recovery applications.

This will enable the design team and the Principal Contractor to implement on or off-site reuse decisions and recycling rates, with the overall aim at diverting construction waste from landfill.

Operational Waste Management Plans (OWMP)

Working closely with our clients, Sweco can develop an Operational Waste Management Plan (OWMP) during the Pre-Planning or existing Operational stage of residential and commercial projects with the aim of demonstrating how the proposed development or current operational facilities has taken into account sustainable methods for waste management during its operation and setting targets for waste management.

The OWMP sets out the sustainable waste management principles for managing operational waste generated by the facilities and would be developed in accordance with relevant national, regional, and local waste management legislation/policies with the key aims of:

• Contributing towards achieving current and long-term UK government and local authority targets for waste minimisation, recycling and re-use.
• Providing estimations on the anticipated waste generation within the proposed development.
• Providing a strategy for the management of the anticipated waste generation within the proposed development, from waste generation to waste collection and off-site treatment.
• Ensuring that residents and/or tenants can easily segregate recyclables and are encouraged to do so.
• Allowing waste to be disposed of easily and be stored & collected in an efficient and discreet manner.
• Ensuring that the proposed development has adequate facilities and space to adapt to any future waste management trends and practices.
• Ensuring that national and local targets, as well as all client waste management aims and aspirations, are met.
• Incorporating “futureproofing” waste management practices, taking into account changes in policies and practices.
• Implementing procedures in dealing with waste as per the below Waste Hierarchy

Contributing to the green transition

Effective waste management strategies are crucial for maintaining a clean and healthy environment. These strategies involve reducing, reusing, and recycling waste materials to minimise their impact on the environment – and also promote circular economy methodology as part of the green transition.

By implementing optimal, sustainable waste management plans in accordance with the waste hierarchy, our waste and resource management consultants can help you significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, contributing to land, air, and water pollution.