London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

5.23. The hazardous waste component of ‘construction and demolition waste (including
asbestos)’ comprised almost 73% of the hazardous waste arisings in the London region
in 2002 (Environment Agency, 2003). The hazardous waste component is thought to
come largely from contaminated soils, and asbestos, and more than 74% of this waste
type was produced in the three sub-regions of Western Riverside, South London and
South East London (Environment Agency, 2000). Hazardous waste is considered in
detail in Chapter 6 of this report.
5.24. It is reported (D. Knapman, Symonds) that robust data for C&D waste, including
composition data, exists for the Netherlands and Denmark, since these countries have
made historical efforts at measuring this. This data is available as part of a European DG
Environment Report ‘C&D Waste Management and their Economic Impacts (Feb 1999).
This data is already 5 years old but could form a useful comparison with the limited
available composition data from the UK.
5.25. The lack of robust reliable composition data for construction and demolition waste
arisings in the UK generally, and in London in particular, is apparent. This fact was
widely acknowledged during the consultations with stakeholders.
Recommendation 46: It is recommended that the lack of reliable composition data is
particularly taken into account in light of the level of uncertainty of the
Symonds survey data estimates for London. Consideration should be given to
commissioning a detailed survey of construction and demolition wastes in
London that would include (a) the separate measurement of wastes from
construction and demolition activities, and (b) detailed compositional analysis
of different types of construction project of relevance to London.
Literature Review – Treatment and Disposal
The Symonds Group Surveys
5.26. The Symonds reports also included data on the destination of construction and
demolition waste. Again, this applied only to the ‘hard’ and ‘excavated’ waste streams.
Table 5.6 presents the 2001 data for the treatment and disposal of ‘hard’ and
‘excavated’ construction and demolition waste for London, England, and England and
Wales. As previously highlighted in the arisings section, the figures provided in the
Symonds report are estimates based on survey responses rather than absolute figures.
For this reason, the figures are presented as upper and lower bands and a mid-point, for
each treatment and disposal route.
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