London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

surveys most likely represent an underestimate of the total arisings of construction and
demolition wastes, as defined in the EWC 2002.
7.35. There is a lack of comprehensive and reliable data on the composition of construction
and demolition waste in the UK generally, including London. Some composition survey
data does exist, but the sample sizes are small, poorly defined and not necessarily
relevant to the construction and demolition wastes generated in London. Nevertheless
the available data suggests that it may be misleading to assign an average composition
to construction and demolition waste generally. This is because (a) the separate
construction and demolition waste streams are quite different (with demolition wastes
being predominantly inert, and construction wastes being high in packaging waste) and
(b) the composition of the waste streams also appears to vary depending on the stage
of development of the project to which they relate.
7.36. The Symonds survey data indicates that the level of recycling of ‘hard and excavated’
construction and demolition waste in London (72%), for example for use as bulk fill, is
significantly higher than the average for England (41%). Transportation data from the
Symonds survey also indicates that materials for recycling are typically not hauled more
than 25kms (15 miles) from the point of arising, suggesting that much of this recycling
activity is carried out in or around London. Our consultations with industry indicates
that currently the bulk of this recycling activity is simply comprised of crushing for reuse
as low grade bulk fill, with little evidence of ‘higher value’ recycling being carried
out. However some consultees reported that the economic conditions are becoming
more favourable for higher value recycling and that this is increasingly being considered
by some contractors, not just for the ‘hard’ wastes but also for the ‘soft’ wastes.
7.37. Our survey indicated that in London there are currently a total of 237 facilities for
dealing with construction and demolition wastes. This includes 32 mobile crushing and
screening plants, 32 fixed crushing and screening plants, and 28 materials recovery
facilities. Also included in this figure are 10 landfills and 116 exempt sites. There was a
general view amongst consultees that the availability of recycling facilities in London
was satisfactory for general wastes (concrete, bricks etc) but less so for specialist wastes
(plastics, timber, glass etc). It was also suggested that the existing facilities for
recycling concrete and bricks are fully utilised.
7.38. There is considerable concern among Contractors about the impacts on the construction
industry of the Landfill Directive which will put a stop to the co-disposal of hazardous
and non-hazardous waste in July 2004. The view was also expressed that the traditional
UK approach to contaminated land remediation, i.e. excavation and disposal of
contaminated soils and asbestos to landfill, is likely to continue with the extra transport
costs being passed onto the developer.
7.39. A best practice Demolition Protocol has been developed, using funding from WRAP.
This has the key aim of encouraging the planning system to require more efficient use
of resources in demolition contracts and new building work. It is reported that at least
three London boroughs are in the process of adopting some or all of the Demolition
Protocol requirements in the form of relevant planning policies or Supplementary
Planning Guidance.
7.40. A range of ‘waste exchange’ type tools have been developed by various organisations to
assist in the efficient use of materials from the construction and demolition industries.
These include the Aggregates Information Service set up by WRAP. However our
consultations have indicated that the rate of use of these tools by the major
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