WHAT IS WASTE AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT EFFICIENTLY AND SUSTAINABLY
FeRFA's partner in the Recycling Scheme, Countrywide Waste Management (CWM), has produced a number of useful documents on Waste Management. These can be downloaded by clicking on the links and also looking at the headings below.
Useful information on dealing with waste is given below as a quick guide with printable sheets on each topic.
DUTY OF CARE AND WASTE TYPES
The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 state that a description of waste must be provided before waste is removed from a site. The duty to provide this description falls on the waste producer.
 It is essential that a description of the waste is provided so that the appropriate container, transport, waste processing facility, and if necessary, waste treatment facility can be provided. Details of the waste type are recorded on the Waste Transfer Note (WTN) or in the case of Hazardous Waste, on the Consignment Note. These documents must be held for inspection for 3 and 5 years respectively.
If the wrong waste description is provided, the waste may be incorrectly carried and processed. This can lead to the prosecution of individuals working for the company, CWM and any other companies involved. There have been significant fines and custodial sentences issued for the mishandling of waste.
Waste is generally divided in to 3 categories:-
- Controlled Waste
All waste produced and handled by households and commercial businesses is controlled waste. There are 2 main sub-categories of controlled waste:-
- Active Waste, also known as mixed or general waste: paper, plastic, rubber, cardboard, wood, metal, textiles etc.
- Inert/Inactive Waste: sand, soil, concrete, bricks etc.
- Hazardous Waste
Some waste types have hazardous properties. Hazardous waste must be identified and notified prior to removal from site. If the quantity of hazardous waste removed from a site exceeds 500kg in any 12 month period the site must be registered with the Environment Agency (EA). CWM can do this on your behalf.
- Difficult Waste
This covers a wide range of waste types, which owing to their nature and physical properties pose problems for disposal/processing and require special management to avoid nuisance and pollution e.g. plasterboard, large concrete blocks, Japanese Knotweed, muddy water, etc.
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HAZARDOUS WASTE
Is waste that has hazardous properties that may render it harmful to human health or the environment and is regulated by The Hazardous Waste (England, Wales & NI) and Special Waste (Scotland) Regulations.
How do I know whether waste is hazardous?
Waste will fall into one of the following categories:-
- Waste considered to be hazardous under the hazardous waste regulations - for example, lead acid batteries, fluorescent tubes
- Waste that is not considered to be hazardous – for example, paper, edible oil
- Waste that needs to be assessed to find out whether it is hazardous or not - for example, ink or paint
The responsibility of classifying waste is entirely with the producer, and CWM will help you do this.
 The European Waste Catalogue (EWC) lists all wastes, grouped according to generic industry or process. Each waste type is given a six-digit code. Check the EWC to find out if the waste is classified as hazardous, which are identified in the EWC with an asterisk (*) or contact the CWM customer service team for further advice.
Some wastes are always classed as hazardous. Other wastes require assessment to determine whether they are hazardous or not, depending on whether the amounts of dangerous substances present are above threshold concentrations.
Once hazardous waste has been identified by the customer a copy of the analysis is required confirming this. You need to place the order with CWM who is licensed to carry hazardous waste and will provide a consignment note which tracks the waste from collection to final disposal or recycling point.
All sites producing more than 500kg of hazardous waste in any 12 month period must be registered with the EA. The EA will issue a unique premises number called a “premises code”, which is valid for 12 months from registration.
CWM can register your site for you.
HazardousWaste Regulations 2005 apply to England,Wales & Northern Ireland.
Special Waste Regulations 2005 apply to Scotland. In Scotland, the terms ‘Special Waste’ and ‘Hazardous Waste’ now mean the same. This is because under Scottish law, ‘Special Waste’ is any waste that is defined as hazardous by the European Hazardous Waste Directive.
Examples of hazardous waste include:-
- Asbestos
- Lead-acid batteries
- Electrical equipment containing hazardous components such as cathode ray tubes (e.g. televisions)
- Solvents
- Fluorescent light tubes
- Chemical wastes
- Pesticides
- PC monitors
- All oils, except edible oils
- Oily sludge’s/rags/used spill-kits
Contaminating skips with hazardous waste can add hundreds or even thousands of pounds to disposal costs. CWM can provide specially design hazardous containers for all hazardous waste types. Most of this material can be recycled or recovered.
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ASBESTOS WASTE
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals that are made up of long, thin, crystalline fibres.
Asbestos is found within other rocks in thin veins between 1 mm and 5 mm thick. The rock containing asbestos is normally dug from open cast quarries outside the UK and is processed to release the asbestos fibres. There are three main types of asbestos:-
- Chrysotile (also known as white asbestos) – the most commonly found asbestos, usually found in cement bonded products
- Crocidolite (also known as blue asbestos)
- Amosite (also known as brown asbestos)
You cannot tell from looking at a product, which type of asbestos it contains, the visual colour of the asbestos will not dictate which type of asbestos it is. You will need to use a very high powered microscope to tell the difference.
Asbestos is classed as hazardous waste when it contains more than 0.1% asbestos. The sale and use of asbestos containing products in the UK was finally prohibited in November 1999.
If you suspect that your site contains asbestos then hazardous waste regulations will apply and the site will require registering with the EA. Contact CWM for further assistance.
For further information refer to: The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006
'On Monday 13 November 2006, the long-awaited Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force.
These Regulations are specific to asbestos and apply to both those who work with asbestos containing materials and have asbestos within or on their premises. The Regulations have included since 1998, legal duties relating to the protection of all people who are liable to be exposed to asbestos whether through direct or incidental exposure'
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SKIPS
 Ordering the correct size skip can save you money and below is some guidance of the various types of skips that are available to you.
Builders skip (6-8 cubic yards)
You can put up to 8 tonnes of mixed waste into a builders' skip. They are ideal for concrete, soil or other heavy material. The price of a builders' skip is usually fixed when you place your order and remains the same regardless of the weight of the waste in it.
10 – 16 Cubic Yard Skips
These skips are ideal for lightweight and bulky materials e.g. typical waste such as wood, plastic and metal. They are not suitable for heavy materials such as soil, concrete or block. If these skips are loaded with heavy waste, they may be too heavy to lift on to the vehicle and will need to be unloaded on site.
The price of these skips is normally fixed when you place your order and will remain the same on the
understanding that they are not filled with heavy waste.
20 Cubic Yard /
Roll-on Roll-off Bins
These bins can carry up to around 18 tonnes of waste. The
low sides (approximately 4 feet high) and large rear door on these bins make them easy to load. They are suitable for carrying both lightweight bulky waste or heavy soil and concrete. These bins are charged on a transport and tonnage basis. The most cost effective way of using these bins is to fill them with lightweight bulky waste only. Heavy waste such as concrete, soil and block should really be put in to builders' skips.
A lower fixed price can be agreed for clean loads of heavy inert waste. It is vital though that this waste is kept "clean" and is not mixed with any other waste types. If inert waste is contaminated with mixed/general waste, the price will revert to a transport and tonnage rate. In this instance, the cost can easily reach several thousand pounds.
35 – 40 Cubic Yard Roll-on Roll-off Bins
These bins are ideal for lightweight and bulky waste. Due to the very high sides - around 8-9 feet high - they can be difficult to fill from ground level. They have a single large rear door. These bins are charged on a transport and tonnage basis. They are totally unsuitable for heavy material such as concrete and soil.
If these bins are overloaded, they can be too heavy for the collection vehicle to move and will have to be unloaded on site. Overloaded bins have been known to burst open when an attempt is made to collect them.
Enclosed Skips
Some skips are available with lids and maybe lockable. These are ideal for sites where access to the skip is not controlled and waste needs to be secured. Enclosed skips are not always readily available and may require a longer notice period for the initial delivery. Enclosed skips must be used for hazardous
waste.
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To download details of Vehicle Specs & Container Dimensions CLICK HERE
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SITE WASTE MANAGEMENT ADVICE & TIPS
As part of our commitment to reduce our waste to landfill, we must look at ways of improving waste management on site, whether through procurement and planning strategies or increased recovery and recycling.
Minimising Waste
- Design of fixtures and fittings - pre-cut or formed off-site where practical reusable packaging
- Education and training programmes for clients and subcontractors in terms of store design, material selection, refit programmes etc
- Plastics, foams, fabrics etc labelled by manufacturer - datasheet to be retained for strip-out to provide types and quantities of waste/recyclables on site
- Not over-ordering new materials to site - large quantities of new materials end up in skips
- Safe storage of new materials - damaged materials end up in skips - inc. wet plasterboard; increased weight and increased disposal charges
Maximising Recycling
- Contact CWM as early as possible in the tender process to ensure maximum lead-time to plan recycling or removal of waste and estimation of more accurate costs
- CWM can advise best practice methodology for waste management
- Identify all waste streams with as much detail as possible - types and quantities
- Programming waste removal - on-site segregation
- Difficult-to-recycle waste streams such as small quantities of fabric transported to central temporary storage area to increase recovery % and reduce recover costs
- Accurate description of waste streams will affect choice of waste carrier appointed to the site
- Reduced costs or potential revenue from valuable segregated waste streams
- Sufficient quantities of recyclable waste may be sent directly to recovery facility to increase
recycling %
- Waste streams to be stored in dry conditions to maximise recyclability - wet card is often not accepted by cardboard mills and may have to go into non-recycled waste stream
- CWM to provide on-site training and monitoring of waste management on larger projects
Efficient Transport of Waste from Site
- Skips may not be the most efficient method of getting waste off site - identify waste streams and design methodology based on this
- Choice of skip sizes - minimise the quantity of skips used by choosing most suitable size/s for site based on waste streams
- Efficient loading of skips - flatten/disassemble boxes and furniture if practical - reduce transport costs and risk of transport related incidents on site
- Programming of waste removal over March - April period could result in lower prices on large jobs by avoiding Landfill Tax increases
Sustainability
- There is no long-term future for Landfills; they have a finite life and eventually they will not exist. All our clients and contractors need to be leaders in recycling
- Must commit to achieving 100% recycling rather than just use it as a marketing statement - requires 100% buy-in from Board level
- Requirement for some working practices to evolve and adapt in order to achieve 100% recycling
- In order to achieve "Nil to Landfill", there may be increased transport; increased carbon footprint in short to medium-term
- Potential carbon off-setting measures can be taken to reduce overall effects of increased transport - tree planting, use of bio-fuel vehicles (although now thought to be more carbon intense)
- Designing-out non-recyclable waste is the key for longterm sustainability
- Evolution from "Waste Management" to "Recycling
Management"
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SITE SERVICE LEVELS
At CWM we strive to ensure the best working methods are applied to a site. To assist with this we have detailed below some guidelines for managing the type of skips and set up on site to get the best use and
value from them through the duration of the site. As a guide it is easier to identify where your site sits within the four bands that we have identified. From here you will be able to manage your site more efficiently based on the size, duration and value.
Bronze Site
A bronze site will have a basic requirement for waste removal e.g. 1 or 2 skips or a wait and load skip/caged vehicle. Waste segregation and recycling/recovery will be carried out at a transfer station and a minimum level of 90% recycling/recovery will be our objective (subject to waste types being recyclable).
A Waste Dashboard will be produced by CWM in the standard format.
Silver Site
A silver site will have a requirement for a mixture of waste types to be removed and there will be room on site for at least 2 skips, allowing for basic on-site segregation of some materials e.g. wood, metal, heavy inert waste. Segregated materials will be taken directly to a recycling/recovery facility. Site may benefit from price reductions as a result of on-site segregation. Mixed waste removed from site will be segregated and
recycled/recovered at a transfer station. A minimum level of 90-95% recycling/recovery will be our objective (subject to waste types being recyclable). Although the financial value of the site may be below the £300,000 threshold for Site Waste Management Plans, it may be appropriate to produce one as part of any best practice requirements in place.
A Waste Dashboard will be produced by CWM in the standard format.
Gold Site
This will generally be a prestigious site in terms of value (in excess of £300,000 or £500,000) and available space. You will liaise with the directors of CWM during the design of the waste management system. A waste management compound will be set up and maintained. An on-site waste manager will be appointed (this will generally be your personnel and will not necessarily be their sole responsibility). All major waste streams on site will be segregated. The following materials are easily recycled/recovered and should be segregated as a minimum (subject to there being sufficient viable quantity):-
- Aggregates, hardcore
- Cardboard
- Plastic
- Timber
- Metal
- Plasterboard
Segregated materials will be collected in separate containers throughout the site (maybe wheeled bins) before being taken to the waste management compound. Other mixed materials will be segregated within the compound. Following segregation, materials will be taken directly to a recycling/recovery facility from the waste management compound. Site will benefit from price reductions as a result of on-site segregation
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SITE WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS
Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) are the result of government legislation to encourage a reduction in the amount of waste produced on construction sites. The plans are made up of structured criteria which
enable waste producers to consider how they produce and manage waste.
Who does the SWMP affect?
- anyone planning a construction project costing more than £300,000
- any construction project clients or architects that produce, manage or dispose of waste
- suppliers to the construction industry
- anyone using a best-practice approach to site
operation
What is the purpose of a SWMP?
SWMP's are intended to change companies attitudes to waste by raising the profile of waste planning. By creating
a list of criteria to consider when operating a construction site, the SWMP's should encourage:-
- greater resource efficiency in the construction sector
 improved re-use and recycling rates- a reduction in fly-tipping
- a reduction in site accidents
Contents of a SWMP
The compulsory elements of a SWMP are:-
- to identify the different types of waste that will be produced by the project
- to identify any changes in the design and materials specification of the project that seek to minimize this waste
- to consider how to re-use, recycle or recover the different wastes produced by the project
- to require the construction company to demonstrate that it is complying with their duty of care
- to record the quantities and types of waste produced
Key Elements of the SWMP Process
- Responsibility for writing and implementing the SWMP will go to one person – usually the main contractor
- There will be two levels of SWMP – standard and detailed. The standard SWMP will be for projects
costing between £300,000 and £500,000. The detailed SWMP is for projects of more than £500,000 and will require more detailed reporting
- Local authorities and the EA will enforce SWMP's and they will impose penalties for failure to make, keep or produce a SWMP
CWM can help complete and review your SWMP. We will assess the waste and recycling levels as part of a continuous
review process. If we find any anomalies or inconsistencies with the waste management on site, we will notify you as soon as possible with a solution or a request for more information. The process of continual review will help to reduce waste to landfill and increase recycling levels.
We also hope that by providing feedback on the quantity and types of waste produced, we can help you and your subcontractors to minimise your waste streams on site.
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SERVICE GUIDELINES
When ordering any of our services we will need specific
information from you to make the delivery as efficient as
possible. Please ensure the person ordering has the
following information available:
- Full delivery address
- Service required e.g. skip delivery, exchange, wait
and load, collection, site facilities & welfare, on-site services etc.
- Skip size and type required e.g. 8 cubic yard skip, 20
cubic yard roll-on roll-off container etc.
- Quantity required
- Date and time required
- If applicable the type of waste to be placed in the skip
e.g. paper, plastic, concrete etc.
- Skip to be placed on or off the public highway e.g.
private property or on the road
- Ease of access to site e.g. height, width or time
restrictions
- Site contact name and telephone number
- Your order number or reference
Why choose Countrywide Waste?
- One supplier to any site in the UK
- One source for invoices
- One complete service to you
- One phone number is all you need
- One waste fleet; 10,000 vehicles
nationwide
- One friendly customer service team
everytime you call
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LANDFILL TAX
This is the tax on the disposal of waste. It was introduced in
1996 to encourage waste producers to produce less waste
and increase recycling and reduce the amount of waste to
landfill.
The tax is charged by weight and there are 2 rates:-
Standard Rate - £48.00 per tonne – for mixed/active waste
(this rate is applicable from April 2010). The rate will rise
at £8 per tonne annually thereafter.
Lower Rate - £2.50 per tonne – inert/inactive waste (this
rate is applicable from April 2010).
The cost of skips and roll-on roll-off bins includes an
allowance for Landfill Tax by taking into account the
average weight of non-recyclable waste found in skips.
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PRE-TREAMENT / RECYCLING
Since October 2007, all waste must be pre-treated before
it is sent to landfill. This means your waste must have been
processed at a waste transfer station or segregated on-site
before any of it can be disposed of.
Up to 100% of the waste produced by you is recycled by
CWM and its subcontractors. 100% of your waste is pretreated
before any non-recyclable elements are identified
and alternative methods of recycling/recovery are
implemented.
Approved subcontractors are selected on the basis of
criteria including their ability to recycle/recover waste and
minimise the use of land-filling.
Waste Dashboard reports are produced for each site,
detailing the type and quantity of waste removed and
recycled/recovered from that site.
To download a printed version of these topics (Landfill Tax, Pre-treatment/Recycling and Other Services) CLICK HERE
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 OTHER SERVICES
We offer an array of services to suit all our customer's needs:-
- Site standards packs, corporate and site guides
- Recycling reports (weekly/monthly) per site
- Up to 100% waste material recovery and recycling
- SWMP management service
- Free waste consultancy & training service
- On site education via "Tool Box Talks"
- Monthly site appraisals on all sites followed up with a
monthly office visit to review under and overachieving
sites
- Carbon off-setting on developments over £1m
- SmartWaste data provided or entered on your behalf
- Working with your procurement teams
- Movement/daily fax/e-mail confirmation so you know
the job will be completed, when required
- Work with you to develop long and short term
strategies to reduce your waste costs and achieve
environmental targets
- Review of material disposals and agreed action plans
for reduction
- Intelligent business systems - a customer log-in system
will allow you to run your own reports and view all
waste transfer notes, weighbridge tickets and
consignment notes to reduce accountancy issues
- Full range of site accommodation, containers, site
offices/canteens/welfare units, fencing etc
- Portaloos – including weekly servicing;
cleaning/emptying/replacement toilet roll and soap
- Site clearance/site labour – to remove rubbish or clear
site
- Caged body vehicles wait & load service as an
alternative to skips; ideal for city centre work where
there is no room for a skip
- Tipper Lorries/Grab Lorries
- Road sweepers/tankers/gully suckers/septic tank
emptying
- Plant-hire e.g. JCBs, excavators with, or without,
operators
- Full out of hours work - if your site is working 24 hours
or there are restrictions during normal working hours,
we will help
- Hazardous waste analysis – contaminated soil,
chemicals, asbestos, identification & removal
To download a printed version of these topics (Landfill Tax, Pre-treatment/Recycling and Other Services) CLICK HERE
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RECYCLING & REPORTING
We are continually looking at ways of increasing recycling and minimising waste to landfill.
Our reporting portal gives all our customers the visibility of their waste by both weight and volume as well as the
amount that has been recovered or recycled.
Each report is verified through an audited trail that details
all waste removed by method and volume.
Our recycling levels exceed expectations and by ensuring
all waste is sent to waste recycling facilities we can sustain
these levels for all our customers.
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To view a sample Waste Dashboard Report CLICK HERE
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