Recycling and Waste Management
Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance on prioritising the efficient use of materials and avoidance, recovery, and responsible disposal of waste. This procedure covers the requirements for reporting and monitoring of recycling and waste activities. The following hierarchy is prioritized when managing recycling and waste.
- Waste Avoidance includes taking action to reduce the amount of waste generated on site.
- Resource recovery includes the re-use, recycling, and reprocessing of products and materials to minimise contributions to landfill and emissions associated with disposed waste.
- Disposal includes disposing of waste in the most environmentally responsible manner.
Project specific waste management targets, processes, and controls are to be defined in the Environmental Management Plan.
Responsibilities
Project Manager
- Ensure any project-specific requirements relevant to waste management such as accreditations, third party, or head contract requirements are documented in the project’s Environmental Management Plan and Site-specific induction.
- Ensure a process is in place to achieve and verify against specified project targets.
- Ensure a process is in place for separating waste on site and responsibly disposed of at suitable offsite waste transfer facilities.
- Ensure a process is in place to record and verify trackable, controlled, or regulated waste.
Site Manager
- Ensure the implementation of waste management practices.
- Monitor waste separation and recycling processes.
- Coordinate with waste contractors and site workers.
Workers
- Use dedicated onsite waste facilities correctly.
- Ensure work areas are tidied and cleared of waste and debris when completing a task or shift
Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control (HIRAC)
Waste Key Performance Indicators
At the start of the works, a waste forecast must be completed, including quantities and types of waste, measures to minimise waste production, and monitoring requirements.
License and approval conditions regarding specialised waste and spoil, such as reportable waste, hazardous waste, and wastewater, are generally identified and documented in project documents such as project scopes, environmental assessments, specifications, and Development Approvals. These details and environmental risks associated with spoil and waste management including storage, handling, use of chemicals, etc are to be assessed and documented in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
Site HSE or Environmental Inspections are to be conducted to ensure controls are effective.
Regulatory, License and Approval Conditions
Regulatory and license requirements for the transport and disposal of spoil and waste are defined by the state’s environmental authority and must be adhered to.
Demolition waste must be handled, stored, and disposed of as per license conditions. Liquid waste, including wastewater, must be classified and disposed of in accordance with license conditions.
Material and waste tracking registers are to be maintained and validated with Waste Transfer Certificates (WTCs) for regulated waste. The method of this is to be agreed with the receiving facility.
Waste Avoidance
Waste generated as a result of construction is to be minimised, recycled, reused, or recovered, where practical. Hansen Yuncken aims to reduce waste on all projects.
Efficient use of materials
The strategy for reducing the waste on the project will be made up of three sub-strategies as detailed below in order of priority. The prime objective is to keep the amount of materials transferred to landfill from this project to the minimum possible amount.
- Reduce the amount of waste material produced on the project by ensuring that only enough materials required to perform the works are ordered.
- Any excess materials from particular work areas are to be retained and incorporated into other work areas where practical.
- Encourage “just in time” delivery of construction materials (minimum storage on site) to reduce the potential of loss / waste due to damage prior to usage.
Resource Recovery
Recyclable Construction Waste
Efforts should be made as far as reasonably practicable to recycle as many waste products as possible that cannot be reused. To find a recycling solution for particular waste types, this directory can help locate services near your location: businessrecycling.com.au.
Projects are required to establish and maintain at least three waste / recycling streams for construction waste. This is in addition to general mixed construction waste and any amenities (office/lunchroom) waste recycling.
On site construction waste recycling is to be separated into appropriate bins. Generally, the most logical construction waste streams to separate are concrete/masonry, mixed metals, cardboard, and timber.
Clear labelling of recycling bins/skips/containers or laydown areas is required.
Recyclable Amenities Waste
Where separate waste infrastructure is provided for comingled recyclable amenities and site office waste (e.g. bottles, cans, cardboard and paper food packaging) workers and staff are required to not contaminate recycling with general waste (e.g. food scraps or packaging contaminated with food waste)
Product Recycling
Optional programs may include can and bottle recycling, community donations for excess products such as clean topfill, pallet recycling, and recycling of masonry products and plasterboard.
Wherever possible, packaging materials may be reused or returned to the supplier for continued use such as polystyrene, pallets, dunnage, or packing material.
Disposal
Non-Recyclable Waste
Non-recyclable waste is to be disposed of at an EPA approved landfill or transfer station.
Waste Collection & Disposal
Hansen Yuncken will provide appropriate waste bins and make them available to all subcontractors, directing them to place waste in the provided bins. Waste collection points will be nominated on the Site Layout Plan.
The construction industry generates large amounts of waste material, and mixed waste skips lead to more construction waste going to landfill. To mitigate this, Hansen Yuncken provides separate skips for different waste types, and subcontractors must use these facilities correctly. Contamination of skips dedicated to recycling of particular waste types is strictly prohibited.
Hansen Yuncken generally provides on-site separation for concrete/masonry, mixed metals, green waste (vegetation), general construction (mixed/non-recyclable) waste, and amenities (lunchroom and office) recycling (bottles, cans, paper cardboard).
Subcontractors must note that if they cause site recycling str infrastructure (skips, bins, or other dedicated recycled materials storage locations) to be contaminated with other waste materials, the project team may issue a non-conformance report against the subcontractor. Corrective actions taken by the subcontractor will be monitored and recorded against the non-conformance. If Hansen Yuncken incurs additional waste disposal costs due to the incorrect use of waste and recycling bins, cost recovery from subcontractors may apply.
Construction Waste
Solid construction waste
Civil works such as trenching and concrete works generate waste like soil, concrete, bricks, timber, and asphalt. This waste is categorised as solid construction and demolition waste. When managed correctly, it can be readily recycled.
Avoid contaminating construction and demolition waste with litter or general rubbish.
Some recyclers may accept mixed loads of construction demolition waste. If not, sort waste material into separate types to make it suitable for recycling. This is to be documented in the project’s Environmental Management Plan.
Civil and construction demolition waste must be transferred to a recycler who is licensed to accept and process this waste. Transfer certificates are to be obtained for verification.
Construction slurries
Liquid waste from work activities such as horizontal directional drilling, non-destructive digging, and concrete cutting may contain contaminants and must be disposed of correctly. In these situations, EPA-permitted vehicles such as vacuum trucks or other suitable services are to be used to transport liquid waste. Where available, dispose to a reuse facility that is approved by the EPA or operating under an approved environment management plan.
Washout facilities are to be regularly inspected to prevent overflow and leaks, especially after heavy rainfall. All personnel are to be briefed on proper washout procedures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
Concrete Washout
Concrete washout waste is highly alkaline and contains toxic metals, making it hazardous to people, wildlife, and the environment.
Methods for managing concrete washout may include designated areas with impermeable liners or containment systems or washout bags to capture and contain the waste, which can be transported and recycled. Appropriate methods are to be determined in consultation with relevant workgroups.
Concrete washout stations should be established away from storm drains and water sources.
Paint, Grout and Plaster Washout
Facilities are to be made available for workers to manage paint, grout, and plaster washout using dedicated containers or mobile washout bins during relevant stages of work.
These containers should allow materials to settle out and solidify and for water to either evaporate or be drained off before disposal of paint, grout or plaster waste residue into general construction waste bins.
Workers are to use the facilities as intended and must not dispose of washout waste directly into waterways or down drains.
Waste Reporting and Monitoring
A waste tracking process is to be implemented for trackable, controlled, or regulated waste, including consignment processes, transport authorisations, and providing tracking information to the state regulatory agencies.
Transport and disposal of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM), including spoil, is to be managed in accordance with the Asbestos Management Procedure.
Definitions and Abbreviations
ACM: Asbestos Containing Material
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
EMP: Environmental Management Plan
WTCs: Waste Transfer Certificates
Solid Waste: Solid waste includes materials of a solid nature generated as a result of construction or demolition work. This generally includes debris such as concrete, masonry, wood, metals, plastics, glass, gypsum/plasterboard, asphalt, packaging material, and roofing materials.
Liquid Waste: Liquid waste includes materials in liquid form generated as a result of construction activities. This includes substances like soil or spoil removed by hydrovac methods, chemicals and solvents used in construction and cleaning, unused or excess paints and paint thinners, oils and fuels such as lubricants and hydraulic fluids, and septic waste from portable toilet receptacles.
Recyclable Waste: Generally includes wood, paper, cardboard, metal, cans, bottles, clean topfill, pallets, masonry products, and plasterboard.
Non-Recyclable Waste: General waste that cannot be recycled and must be disposed of at an EPA-approved landfill or transfer station.
Mixed Waste: General mixed or non-recyclable waste, including litter and general rubbish that must be separated to avoid contamination.
Hazardous Waste: In the context of construction and demolition, hazardous waste includes dangerous materials such as chemicals and solvents, waste oils, and heavy metals, all of which require special handling and disposal to prevent harm to people and the environment.
Asbestos and Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM): These materials contain asbestos fibers and require specific methods for handling and disposal due to their health risks.
Green Waste: Vegetation waste from site clearance and landscaping activities.
References
- Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW)
- Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
- Environment Protection Act 1970 (VIC)
- Environmental Protection Act 1994 (QLD)
- Environment Protection Act 1993 (SA)
- Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (TAS)
- Environmental Assessment Act (NT)
- Environment Protection Act 1997 (ACT)