Packaging
On average, 34% of waste from construction sites is packaging waste (timber, cardboard, plastic, etc). Much of it is unnecessary and significant amounts could be re-used or recycled rather than sent to landfill.
Improving the management of packaging waste on construction sites offers a major opportunity to save money by reducing material losses, waste disposal costs and waste handling costs. It will also contribute significantly to improving your company's business and environmental performance.
The first priority is to reduce the amount of packaging used by suppliers and manufacturers; the less packaging you have, the less effort is needed to deal with it. The next priority is to look for ways to reduce the amount of packaging being sent to landfill by identifying opportunities for re-use or recycling. Effective segregation of different waste materials is the key to successful re-use and recycling on construction sites.
Source: Envirowise
Envirowise have developed a Good Practice Guide that describes:
- the benefits of taking action to minimise packaging waste;
- the types of packaging and packaging waste found on construction sites; packaging waste legislation in the UK;
- a range of practical measures to eliminate, reduce, re-use and recycle packaging waste;
- how to achieve efficient waste segregation;
- management issues associated with minimising packaging waste;
- a range of tools and resources to help you improve packaging waste management at your site;
- other sources of information and advice.
The pockets of the Guide contain various tools (including a Construction Packaging Waste Estimator) to help you save money by minimising packaging waste on your site.
Industry examples throughout the Guide demonstrate the cost and environmental benefits that can be achieved by adopting a systematic approach to the management of packaging waste on construction sites.
http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/gg606
Netregs
If your business handles, manufactures, converts, packs, fills, sells or imports over
50 tonnes of packaging or packaging materials in a year, and has a turnover exceeding £2 million per year, you must:
http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/processes/488658/?version=1⟨=_e
BREMAP
An interactive searchable map providing access to companies who recycle, reuse, and sell reclaimed and recycleable products
http://www.smartwaste.co.uk/bremap.jsp
Alupro
Encouraging and developing aluminium recycling and collection initiatives www.alupro.org.uk
British Glass
Represents the UK's glass industry
http://www.britglass.org.uk/Industry/Background_PPW3.pdf
British Plastics
Represents the UK's plastics Federation industry
www.bpf.co.uk
CHEP
Offers re-usable wood pallet system
www.chep.com
Confederation of Paper Industries
Industry body that can provide advice on paper packaging and recycling
www.confedpaper.org.uk
Corus Packaging
Major supplier of steel packaging and actively involved in recycling steel
www.coruspackaging.com
Packaging Federation
Represents packaging manufacturers
www.packagingfedn.co.uk
Recoup
Provides expertise and guidance across the plastics industry and throughout the supply chain.
www.recoup.org
Recovinyl
Supports the collection and recycling of PVC waste in the construction and demolition sectors
www.recovinyl.com
Timber Packaging Confederation
Represents the timber and Pallet packaging industry.
www.timcon.org
Timber Research and Development Association
The industry body that can provide advice on wood packaging and recycling.
www.trada.co.uk
