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Site waste management plans

Find out how new regulations affect construction projects.

New regulations came into force in April 2008 which means that any construction project in England costing over £300k needs a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP). This includes:

  • new build
  • maintenance
  • alteration or installation/removal of services such as sewerage, water.

A SWMP sets out how building materials, and resulting waste, is to be managed during the project.

The SWMP's purpose is to ensure that:

  • building materials are managed efficiently
  • waste is disposed of legally, and
  • material recycling, reuse and recovery is maximised.

Client responsibilities

It is the clients responsibility (or principal contractor) to:

  • ensure a SWMP is written, followed, and updated during the project. Although the plan must be written at the construction design stage, it is a requirement of the SWMP regulations to maintain it during the whole project
  • update the plan with the site day to day activity.

Types of Site Waste Management Plans

There are two types of SWMP depending on the cost of the project:

  • a project costing between £300 - £500k follows a basic template
  • anything over £500k requires a much greater level of detail.

The SWMP regulations are intended to be self regulated. The onus is on the client (or principal contractor) to make sure:

  • the SWMP meets its regulatory requirements
  • all those involved in the project act in accordance with the plan and current waste legislation.

Both local authorities and ourselves have power to enforce these regulations via fixed penalty notices or prosecution.