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Project checklist

Before you begin your project, plan for success.

Key actions:

✔️ talk with clients or owners of the construction project about designing out waste

✔️ set waste minimisation goals and assign responsibilities within the contractual agreements set up between the client, designer, main contractor, and sub-contractors working on the projects

✔️ ensure that a waste minimisation plan is required in the contract and is a part of contract documentation

✔️ make waste minimisation part of the culture on the construction site with an onsite champion to provide guidance, encouragement and accountable.

✔️ ensure waste minimisation expectations and processes are frequently communicated to all managers, staff, contractors and subcontractors

✔️ set targets for reducing the amount of each waste type

✔️ ask for advice from others if you are unsure of what to do with materials and what to do with them

✔️ work with materials suppliers to ensure they do not over supply or will accept unused returns

✔️ work with others who can support you and your waste reduction goals

Getting subcontractors on board

Contractors should also prescribe waste reduction as a condition of contract with subcontractors and set targets for waste produced.

Outline waste management requirements in the tender information:

  • clearly identify that waste minimisation techniques have been adopted in the design and request that tenderers respond to these in their submissions.
  • nominate waste streams to be recycled and set targets.
  • all contract documents should include a copy of the REBRI Waste minimisation plan (PDF), as this will form the record for targets, on-site methods and responsibilities.

The following is an example of different clauses that could be inserted into a contract document as part of a REBRI project:

The subcontractor is aware this is a REBRI project and shall make every effort to cooperate with the recycling programme. The subcontractor shall attend an orientation meeting with the on-site recycling personnel when starting work at the job site. The subcontractor shall also submit an itemised quantity breakdown (in kg or m³) of material removed from the job site, how much of this was recycled and where the materials were recycled.

OR

A formal construction waste reduction plan will be in operation, and the tenderer will be required to incorporate waste reduction as part of their works. Tenderers should submit waste minimisation details, including as a minimum, the following:

  • two practical measures associated with the tenderer's scope of works to prevent waste entering the site
  • two waste streams resulting from the tenderer's scope of works that can be recycled and will be actively managed as part of a site waste reduction plan

Tendering period

  • promote economic benefits of waste minimisation and recycling to tenderers
  • familiarise tenderers with waste minimisation strategies
  • answer questions and allay concerns (including costs)
  • engender a spirit of cooperation to achieve waste minimisation objectives

Awarding tenders

  • check that waste reduction requirements have not been tagged out. If so, consider whether the subcontractor offered an acceptable alternative method or solution. Some subcontractors may have different waste minimisation systems that achieve the same targets or goals
  • evaluate the waste reduction approach alongside other tender variables
  • review the supply chain interfaces to reduce waste - for example, subcontractor purchasing policies and procedure

Negotiate contracts

Once the tender has been awarded, negotiate the terms of the contract to:

  • maximise the benefits of salvage and recycling
  • provide economic incentives for recycling or for reaching a target of waste reduction
  • agree which party or parties receive financial benefits of salvaged and recycled material from demolition or construction.

Managing the contracts

  • make sure the necessary training is given to all subcontractors and staff so that everyone understands the requirements needed to minimise waste
  • supervise the subcontractor's workmanship, making sure it is of a high standard. This will prevent work having to be repeated, which would use more materials and products
  • verify subcontractor performance to ensure they are doing what they have said they would in terms of waste minimisation

Site logistics

  • in your construction project consider what materials and waste will be generated. Ensure waste sorting and storage facilities are appropriate to each phase of construction and are suited to the environmental conditions of the site, such protecting waste form wind, rain etc
  • set out resource recovery methods of each material. Consider the location and number of waste containers and storage locations
  • place waste containers near all reuse or recycling contains so people can put waste in that. You might like to consider strategies like placing a padlock on the landfill bin so the site supervisor can confirm or assess if the waste does need to go to landfill or not
  • determine who is responsible for monitoring where the waste is going- how they will ensure workers are place the right materials in the correct waste containers?
  • consider how excess materials and other materials that can be reused will be manged. Will you use a reuse register? Can you take unused materials back to the supplier? Can you give any excess materials to community groups or local resource recovery centres or sell or gift via platforms like Mutu or CivilShare?

Onsite training

  • ensure that all staff and subcontractors are aware of the project waste reduction goals, expectations around what materials to save for recycling and reuse and where to take any material
  • take time to show and demonstrate to the subcontractors how to use the waste systems on the project
  • use formal and informal methods, such as standups and ‘toolbox talk’ to make sure everyone on the project and worksite knows how to manage waste and how to look after materials. Bring up waste minimisation up at every job site meeting Providing reminders of the waste reduction goals, how the construction team are doing in relation to waste reduction goals. Celebrate good behaviours and call out bad ones

Celebrate and promote success

  • highlight the success of the waste minimisation plan and mahi to managers, subcontractors, clients, onsite staff and the public
  • consider incentivising staff for reusing materials and playing an active part in waste reduction
  • learn from others in the construction sector- what ideas can you use, what lessons can be learnt from other projects, how do you want your project to be different from others?

Monitoring

  • regularly review practices and check waste containers/bins to ensure the proper materials are going in the right place. If problems persist find the person/people responsible and encourage and help them to do what they need to do
  • capture information and measurement of the volume and weight of waste types and report this against your targets
  • be open to feedback and suggestions for others about improving process or how people are doing waste minimisation - suggestion might make process more efficient.

Updated: 18 July 2024