Defra - Guidance on site waste management plans

New Regulations came into force on 6 April 2008 making Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) compulsory for all construction projects in England costing over £300,000. A SWMP records the amount and type of waste produced on a construction site and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed.

The Regulations aim to:

• increase the amount of construction waste that is recovered, re-used and recycled and improve materials resource efficiency

• prevent illegal waste activity by requiring that waste is disposed of appropriately, in accordance with the waste duty of care provisions

The Regulations will not apply to projects planned before 6 April 2008 as long as the construction work began before 1 July 2008.