Ireland Introduces Guidelines for C&D

The Irish government has introduced a new set of guidelines to further along an integrated approach to handling construction and demolition waste.

Called "New Practices Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management Plans for Construction & Demolition Projects, it discusses the concept of on-site waste management planning for projects above certain thresholds and will provide a blueprint for designers, developers, practitioners and competent authorities, for the proper management of construction and demolition wastes. This 'cradle-to-grave' approach will apply through the various stages of a project from design and planning through to the completion of construction.

C&D waste management in Ireland has historically been characterized by an over-reliance on landfill as a disposal route. There is an essential need to move from this position, to a position where it will be a model for sustainable waste management. While Ireland's rate of recovery at 85.2 percent is quite high - this is mainly accounted for by soil and stones; recycling rates for core C&D waste materials is relatively low.

The purpose of these Guidelines, first published in draft form in September 2004, is to promote an integrated approach to C&D waste management through the duration of a project. They are designed to promote sustainable development, environmental protection and the optimum use of resources. The guidelines provide guidance on the preparation of construction and demolition waste management plans for certain classes of project, which exceed specified threshold limits.

The Guidelines emphasize that management of C&D waste should respect the waste management hierarchy of options with waste prevention and minimization being the first priority succeeded by reuse and recycling. Disposal should only be considered as a last resort and suggestions are made as to how the latter can be avoided.

The guidelines also provide designers, developers, practitioners and authorities with an agreed basis for the determining the adequacy of Project C&D Waste Management Plans. Developers of projects with significant potential for the generation of C&D waste should prepare an on-site C&D waste management plan. In particular, on-site C&D waste management plans should be prepared for projects that are in excess of any of the following thresholds -

(1) New residential development of 10 houses or more;

(2) New developments other than (1) above, including institutional, educational, health and other public facilities, with an aggregate floor area in excess of 1,250 m2;

(3) Demolition/renovation/refurbishment projects generating in excess of 100m3 in volume, of C&D waste; (4) Civil Engineering projects producing in excess of 500m3 of waste, excluding waste materials used for development works on the site.

While the Guidelines may operate generally on a voluntary basis, planning authorities may attach a condition to permissions for the types of development outlined above.

"These guidelines will radically alter the way we manage construction and demolition (C&D) waste; hopefully they will also change the mindset of practitioners in the industry towards greater recycling of C&D waste," says Dick Roche, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. "I want the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle to be a 'front-of-mind' priority for all practitioners in this industry and I believe that over time they will achieve the necessary change in mindset to ensure further improved waste management performance in the sector."