Reconomy have launched a new construction framework intended to help the new government to reform construction waste management
Reconomy has launched a new construction framework to aid the new Labour government in managing construction waste.
The intent is to integrate circular economy principles to move construction and demolition (C&D) materials up the waste hierarchy.
The new construction framework makes waste more circular
After Labour’s victory in the general election, Steve Reed, the new DEFRA secretary, stated his intent to move Britain to a zero-waste economy. As such, this new framework has been built with this in mind.
The framework targets construction as one of seven resource streams, and covers all non-hazardous waste from the industry, including concrete, bricks, wood, glass, metals, and plastic.
In 2020, DEFRA reported 59.1m tonnes of non-hazardous C&D waste, with a recovery rate of 92.6%. Yet, most of this will have been recycled into aggregate, and the figures exclude excavation waste.
Therefore, the framework will focus mainly on retaining more value through recovered waste materials.
The framework has recommended areas of focus
Reconomy spoke with industry experts to form a report to create the framework. The report recommended:
- The creation of national minimum standards to hold all waste providers to a higher standard
- Developing consistent and separate waste collection across the country
- Establish a baseline data of waste figures for easier monitoring
- Bringing in Extended Producer Responsibility schemes to shift the burden of waste management to producers
- Implementing eco-design standards, such as returnable packaging
- Ringfencing EPR funding to provide investment and subsidies to stimulate demand
- Digitising information to track resources in real time
- Creating an independent governing body to enact change
Reconomy’s divisional director for construction, housebuilding & infrastructure, Jamie Roberts, said: “We are delighted to launch this framework to promote the circular economy and build a more sustainable future. To meet our climate objectives, protect finite resources and grow the economy, it is crucial this new government takes steps to help businesses and communities improve resource management.
“The joint Reconomy and Sancroft project team has produced an actionable strategy of structured and consistent reforms for the construction sector. By following this we can simplify the waste system and generate much needed investment in the system to move resources up the waste hierarchy.
“We are increasingly seeing innovative models allow construction companies to overcome traditional issues within the sector, such as fragmented ownership of construction projects and long lifespan of infrastructure. Following our guiding principles, could create further opportunities to retain the value of resources given the vast quantity of C&D materials used.”
