New guidance is available to help those engaged in construction activities follow good environmental practice on their sites.
CIRIA, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association, says the guide will help clients, their professional advisors, contractors and the whole construction supply chain to be more aware of the responsibilities for appropriate environmental management, ensuring compliance with legal and other requirements.
The global economy consumes vast quantities of raw materials, water and energy. In the UK alone, according to CIRIA, more than 400 million tonnes of materials are used each year, making the construction industry the nation’s largest consumer of natural resources.
The new guide covers environmental good practice from the planning stage through to the overall management of the site, taking into account pre- and post-construction activities, as well as identifying particular environmental issues that may become problematic for a particular site.
It also provides examples of legal cases that highlight the cost and time impacts of failing to comply with legislation, as well as summary tables of the laws applicable to the environmental issues covered.
Jim Wiltshire, programme manager designer at WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Plan), said: “WRAP always encourages the sector to adopt good practice when addressing the use of material and water resources and in the management of construction waste. There are impacts to consider at the design and procurement stages, as well as at the site stage, and this new guide provides important information on how to place activities to ensure minimum environmental impacts.”
Environmental good practice on site (C692) can be purchased from CIRIA – call 020 7549 3300 or e-mail [email protected]
