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

43.8 Social and Distributional Consequences
The effect of the policy on businesses depends on how it has been implemented (as
described in Section 43.2.1). Countries which apply limitations of size/value of the
development, which denote whether or not the policy should be applied, will most
likely affect the larger C&D companies because they are most likely to take on these
projects. Equally, the BRE research discussed above suggests that these are the
projects which are most likely to generate benefits which exceed the costs of the
implementation of WMPs.
However, as an industry which faces many challenges in reducing their impact upon
the environment, implementing WMPs is one way that C&D companies can improve
their reputation through potentially improving their levels of work efficiency and
increasing their environmental credentials.
Given the potential for generating benefits that exceed costs, the net costs of the
approach are unlikely to be significant for large projects. Smaller construction
projects might be affected disproportionately if the policy is extended to cover a wide
range of projects.
43.9 Complementary Policies
The most significant drivers complementing this policy are disposal levies and other
forms of policy which make disposal more expensive. Where there is a cost to dispose
of C&D waste an incentive is provided for companies to reduce the volume of waste
they are producing. One way of doing so is to implement a WMP on site.
WMPs increase awareness of waste on site and so initiatives and policies regarding
product standards (Annex 47.0) and demolition protocols (Annex 45.0) help
complement work towards the goal of reducing site waste, and its disposal. Finally, in
countries where they exist, taxes on primary aggregates support such a policy, though
as discussed in Annex 46.0, the approach has probably been less effective than
levies on disposal.
43.10 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.
Given the greater amount of resources needed to properly implement an effective
WMP, a C&D company’s costs may increase and this cost could initially be reflected in
the price of their service as it is passed onto their customers. However, as discussed
in Section 43.6 this is likely to be a short-term effect. Waste management plans help
companies to save money through resource efficiency and this will either be reflected
in the reduced prices for which they offer their services, or in the company’s profit
margins.
43.11 Evasion and Enforcement
A major problem with WMPs is the lack of enforcement associated with them which
ultimately leads to non-compliance. A report to Defra concluded that compliance is
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International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes