Why construction waste recycling is important for projects

Recycling construction waste can aid in responsible waste management, which today is a requirement of all projects.

In New South Wales Section 143 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 requires waste to be transported to a place that can lawfully accept it[1]. Licenced waste recycling facilities like MET Recycling, provide a sustainable alternative to landfill sites, alleviating the pressure of landfill growth.

Ultimately, partnering with a construction waste recycling facility enables projects to tackle waste in a sustainable way, which can help reassure planning boards and local councils that a project is safe to approve.

Landfill growth is a concern for State and Territory Governments nationally. Construction generates large amounts of waste, and increased landfill activity will increase the environmental and economic costs of waste generation and disposal. Each governing body has its own construction waste management policies and guidelines, which typically have the objective of minimising the amount of waste generated as part of every project, maximising the amount of material sent for reuse, and minimising the amount of material sent to landfill[2].

Managing landfill and waste generation by recycling

There are many examples where construction waste management guidelines and policies lay a foundation for construction waste recycling facilities to serve the industry. In Queensland, construction projects must be compliant with the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, which was established to promote waste avoidance and reduction and encourage resource recovery and efficiency[3]. In Western Australia, the Construction Waste Management Plan Guidelines was established to help local government, developers, property owners and builders understand what excess materials are likely to be generated in a construction project, before moving on to the critical stage of developing a construction waste management plan.

In NSW, all types of development, including construction projects, must be accompanied with a Site Waste Minimisation and Management Plan (SWMMP) that outlines measures to minimise and manage waste generated during demolition and construction works. The SWMMP is recommended to be completed with the earliest approval application, as it helps to frame a construction project’s approach to:

·       maximise reuse and recycling of materials

·       minimise waste generation

·       ensure appropriate collection and storage of waste

·       minimise the environmental impacts associated with waste management

·       avoid illegal dumping

·       promote improved project management[4].

From processing recyclable construction waste to creating new materials for projects, licenced construction waste recycling facilities help construction projects address each of the points outlined in the SWMMP, as well as other mandatory waste management guidelines.

Facilities like MET Recycling can be instrumental in maximising resource recovery and minimising residual waste from construction activities, which is a key aim for waste management policies and our collective desire to keep the planet healthy.

If you need to partner with a waste removal company on your project site, contact MET Recycling on 1300 MET 123 or enquire online. We provide affordable and comprehensive services for your construction needs.

[1] https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/waste/industrial-waste/construction-demolition

[2] https://www.wastenet.net.au/profiles/wastenet/assets/clientdata/document-centre/wal2708_construction_waste_a4_v2_singles.pdf

[3] https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2011-031

[4] https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/warrlocal/080353-model-waste-not-dcp.pdf