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

42.13 Effect of the Policy on Pricing of Resources / Services
There is no direct effect of the policy on the price of resources. Rather, the potential
for generating financial savings through improved management of wastes is likely to
become more highly valued.
Clearly, it is of particular benefit to contractors when all cost components associated
with waste production are identified and highlighted at an early stage. This will be
effective in enhancing internal cost control procedures for the contractor and helping
to ensure that unproductive and readily avoidable costs of C&D waste management
are reduced. The implementation of the C&D Waste Management Plans will increase
ability to control/reduce waste management costs. Accordingly, the cost of
construction/demolition services should reflect the reduced waste management
costs secured by waste prevention, minimisation and reuse.
It has been established by Skoyles and Skoyles that some 18%/19% of construction
materials purchased from merchants are in addition to the quantities outlined in the
project contract specification (materials may be damaged in storage or by weather,
incorrectly positioned/constructed, used in greater quantities than intended, lost or
stolen). 750 C&D Waste Management Plans, through adherence to the guidelines
provided, can play a vital role in reducing this figure thereby reducing construction
costs. Clearly this would represent significant savings through reduced materials
consumption. The minimisation of waste, otherwise generated on construction sites
as a result of poor inventory management, impacts positively on maintaining natural
resources.
42.14 Evasion and Enforcement
The Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management Plans for
Construction and Demolition Projects were given a statutory footing by the
Development Management Guidelines issued by the Minister for the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government in 2007 under Section 28 of the Planning and
Development Act 2000. Planning Authorities must have regard to guidelines issued
under Section 28 in performance of their functions under the Act.
When a planning permission includes a requirement to prepare and implement a C&D
Waste Management Plan, the developer is required to submit the plan to the planning
authority prior to Commencement Notice Stage.
Waste auditing forms an integral part of C&D Waste Management Plans as a means
of ensuring ‘on the ground’ enforcement at construction/demolition sites. A Waste
Audit represents a systematic study of the waste management practices in the
project. Waste auditing allows the success of a waste management plan, in realising
the goals of waste prevention and minimisation, to be evaluated. An Audit Plan should
be clearly defined in the Project C&D Waste Management Plan. Summary audit
reports should be sent to the appropriate local authority.
750 E.R. Skoyles and J.R. Skoyles (1987) Waste Prevention on Site; London: Mitchell.
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