A waste management plan is a document that details how large amounts of waste created during a construction or land clearing project will be managed and reduced. It is typically drafted prior to the project’s beginning by licenced waste management providers such as ETM Recycling and is updated throughout the duration of the project to ensure that processes are adhered to, costs are streamlined and waste minimisation is achieved.
The most important aspect of a waste management plan is that it enables businesses to meet their legal obligations under the Duty of Care, as set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste (Environmental Protection) Regulations 1991. This includes the prevention of harm to human health and the environment, as well as protecting property and maintaining good working practices.
Waste management plans are especially useful for businesses that create a lot of waste such as construction and demolition firms. It is estimated that 32% of landfill waste is created during these projects and that a waste management plan can save businesses money by cutting out the need for costly waste removal services.
Developing a waste management plan can take time and effort, but it is worth the investment as it will help businesses save money, reduce their environmental impact and comply with their legal obligations under the Duty of Care. The first step is identifying the key responsible figures and clients involved in the project and then identifying the types of waste that are likely to be produced. This will then be compared to the waste disposal methods required and the cost of each.
The next step is to review waste volumes and identify how this will be monitored and measured, for example by calculating the number of skips or the number of tonnes of waste that is predicted to be generated during the project. The final stage is establishing how the waste will be handled and transferred, including whether it will be reused, recycled or recovered and how it will be disposed of.
An effective way of ensuring that your waste management plan is up to date and in compliance with the law is through regular audits. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is by using a digital checklist, which can be customized to fit the color-coding system of your healthcare facility and can include photos to show that clinical waste bins are appropriately displayed, secure and labeled.
New York City’s Department of Sanitation handles around 12,000 tons of waste each day and disposes of residential and institutional waste through private carters, while commercial waste is collected by independent sanitation trucks. But the city’s waste export systems have been under strain, with landfill space running low and a few of the major sites in close proximity closing or choosing not to accept the City’s waste. In response, the city adopted its current Solid Waste Management Plan in 2006 with three overarching goals: equitably distributing sanitation infrastructure, minimizing environmental effects, and keeping costs manageable.