Demonstrating waste minimisation benefits in construction

The construction industry produces roughly four times the waste produced by households in the UK. Any reduction of this large figure must produce both environmental and economic benefits. CIRIA studied waste minimisation initiatives being undertaken on 10 live projects that were under way during 1999-2000, recommending further initiatives where practicable. This guide demonstrates the benefits that have been achieved on the demonstration projects by the implementation of various initiatives. The objective of this guidance is to demonstrate the practical principles of waste reduction, reuse and recycling in the construction industry. It shows how waste can cost the developer and contractor in many different, often indirect, ways. Consequently, ignoring waste minimisation can substantially reduce profits. The guidance can be used both as an information source for the user and as a means of persuading other members of a professional team of the advantages to be gained by minimising waste at all stages of the planning, design, construction and demolition process.