Waste
Every year in the UK 106 million tonnes of material is thrown away by the construction and demolition industry, representing approximately one third of all waste and making it the single largest waste stream. Of this, 34% is sent to landfill, 50% is reused (mainly aggregates) and only 16% is recycled.
Total composition of waste from construction and demolition industries
 |
Not only is this bad for the environment, it’s inefficient and expensive – and the cost implication of waste looks only set to increase. Landfill tax is escalating going up to £32 in April 2008 and increasing at £8 per tonne, per year to reach £48 in 2010. It is estimated that at current rates of disposal, the 10,000 sites in the UK will reach capacity within 6-15 years.
The good news is that it’s relatively easy to start improving your performance – and benefiting your bottom line.
For example, WRAP (Waste Resource Action Programme) estimates that 13 million tonnes of material that becomes construction and demolition waste is discarded without being used and that by eliminating the over-order, "just-in-case (JIC) culture would save five landfill sites a year.
Waste typically costs businesses up to 4% of turnover. for example, AMEC, an engineering consultancy, estimates that for an 8 cu yd skip the actual costs are £1,343 - made up as follows:
| Skip Hire | £ 85 |
| Labour to fill skip | £ 163 |
| Cost of materials put in skip | £1,095 |
Government is recycling the landfill tax (through the BREW programme) back to business and this website is one initiative that will help you get to grips with the waste issue.
