International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

out in national policy and in the industry’s own voluntary initiative for the improved
management of C&D waste.
The following paragraph has also been taken from the 2006 Waste Report published
by the EPA:
611
“The National Construction and Demolition Waste Council launched a
voluntary construction industry initiative to prevent, minimise and recycle
construction and demolition waste 2004. The initiative set out a number of
objectives to be achieved by a range of stakeholders. While making good
progress in certain areas, it is clear that the Council suffers from a lack of
dedicated resources and has been supported to date by a part-time
secretariat at the Construction Industry Federation. Based on the findings
presented in chapter 7, and given the lack of reliable data on the generation
and management of construction and demolition waste, it is recommended
that the voluntary mandate of the National Construction and Demolition Waste
Council be independently and impartially reviewed, with a view to ensuring
that the Council represents the best possible model for achieving best
practise in resource efficiency and waste management in the large and
economically important construction sector. The onus should be placed on the
Council to demonstrate that the industry has achieved “substantial progress
(on recycling) through voluntary effort” and to make the case for continued
financial support by Government and public bodies”
It is clear from the above extract that the structure and resourcing of the National
Construction and Demolition Waste Council needs streamlining to facilitate necessary
continued progress in C&D waste management and in particular the more desirable
approach of waste prevention.
40.6 Environmental Benefits
The establishment of the National Construction and Demolition Waste Council has
promoted construction and demolition waste prevention, minimisation, reuse and
recycling. The Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management
Plans for Construction and Demolition Projects, which were drawn up following
recommendations made by two sub-committees of the National Construction and
Demolition Waste Council. The NCDWC had a very high level of support from all
organisations and professional bodies involved in the construction industry and all
took a proactive role in contributing to the consultative process which led to the
delivery of the C&D Waste Management Plan guidelines. The NCDWC called upon all
involved in the construction industry to support and implement the guidelines on
projects.
The Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management Plans for
Construction and Demolition Projects were published by the Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2006 and formally endorsed by the
National Construction and Demolition Waste Council. These guidelines are designed
to influence the management of C&D waste on construction sites.
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes