Design
Use of pre-cast/pre-fabricated materials and modular construction
Pre-fabricated and modular components (e.g. pre-cast concrete beams, insulated wall panels, bathroom pods) reduce the amount of waste generated as they typically eliminate the most labour intensive (and wasteful) processes. In the case of modular construction, standardised components and repeat construction processes are also pursued, which typically lead to less generation of waste.
By using alternative design solutions, the quantity of materials required can be reduced, which in turn will reduce the quantity of wastage. Alternative design solutions might also remove the need to undertake on site activities that produce waste.
To support design teams, WRAP have published a guidance document explaining how to ‘design out’ construction waste. The document contains five principles:
- Design for reuse and recovery.
- Design for off site construction.
- Design for materials optimisation.
- Design for waste efficient procurement.
- Design for deconstruction and flexibility.
WRAP have also created a Designing out Waste Tool for Buildings (DoWT-B), which is an online options appraisal tool to indicate the opportunities to ‘design out waste’. The DoWT-B provides an overview of the value of the materials typically consumed and wasted and investigates the benefit of waste reduction actions.
Design flexibility
Flexibility in design reduces the need for major refurbishments and gives the building a longer life span by ensuring that buildings readily accommodate new functions, (without requiring demolition and creation of new structures), thus eliminating the waste generation process. Examples of flexible design include:
- ceiling heights that accommodate changes of room use and associated servicing requirements
- use of non-load bearing partitions
Design flexibility is covered in more detail in the Efficient Use of Land and Buildings module.
Specification of materials with a recycled content
Materials with a recycled content incorporate a particular level of waste during manufacturing, the waste being post-consumer or pre-consumer. Many product manufacturers incorporate a high level of waste into the manufacturing process and create products that present the same performance and cost as materials with no recycled content.
Consideration should also be given to the use of reclaimed materials.
More information on materials specification can be found in the Materials module.
Allocation of appropriate recycling storage facilities
Recycling is facilitated by providing sufficient space, whether for domestic kerbside collection boxes and composting facilities, or larger commercial waste recycling facilities.
The technical guidance of the Code for Sustainable Homes (credit Was 1) recommends appropriate bin sizes for household recycling. The 2010 version of the guidance can be download from the planning portal here.
Hertfordshire County Council offers discounted home compost bins to Hertfordshire residents. More information on this and other waste initiatives can be found at wasteaware.org.uk
In larger residential buildings, and non domestic buildings, waste and recycling storage areas should be designed in and the design layout must demonstrate adequate space to facilitate waste recycling through separation, storage, handling, bulking and collection of waste generated within the property.
If a BREEAM certificate is being sought then the technical guidance for the specific scheme should be reviewed as there might be credits available for recycling storage facilities. For instance, for a school building with a floor area of 5,000 square metres or less, BREEAM credits are rewarded if there is at least 2 square metres of recyclable waste storage for every 1,000 square metres of net floor area. The requirements change for larger schools so reviewing the manual carefully is recommended.
New developments should be flexible enough to accommodate different collection systems and the potential for future changes.
In particular, full consideration should be given to:
- the location and design of facilities to ensure minimal visual impact and full integration into the scheme design
- access to ensure waste containers can be easily accessed (and moved) by development occupiers and local authority/private waste contractors
- safety to ensure that bins do not obstruct pedestrian, cyclist or driver sight lines
- provision of facilities for composting household waste
30% of household waste can be composted (70% of total organic waste)
A number of Hertfordshire local authorities have produced detailed advice notes on the storage of refuse at residential developments.