Feb 15 2006
Sustainable development is now firmly on the agenda and as the biggest consumer of material resources, some 420 million tonnes per year, the construction sector is uniquely position to play a leading role. One way in which the industry can respond very positively to this agenda is through materials resource efficiency.
WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) is working closely with every level of the construction supply chain to demonstrate the business case for a range of materials resource efficiency measures. As part of this, WRAP is to deliver a series of seven interactive workshops during March and April 2006 focusing on Materials Resource Efficiency in Regeneration Projects.
These unique events aimed at those involved in demolition and new build projects will describe how to implement robust and cost effective sustainable design and construction practices through materials resource efficiency. These practices can help the construction industry meet its environmental, social and legislative responsibilities while maintaining – or even improving – profitability.
The workshops will draw upon the ICE Demolition Protocol methodology which provides a mechanism for effective recovery of materials from demolition projects as well as supporting the procurement of recovered materials in the new build. Speakers will describe how these mechanisms can be employed by all parties involved in regeneration projects, from the policy makers and planers through to material suppliers.
The workshops will focus on achieving verifiable resource efficiency targets through design, procurement and material recovery and re-use practices. Describing the tools, planning and contractual mechanisms to achieve this, the workshops are aimed at local authority planners, developers, architects, consultants and contractors. Key opportunities to be explored will include:
- delivering materials resource efficiency through the planning system and contractual mechanisms;
- setting and achieving materials recovery and re-use targets through design and procurement;
- the role of the supply chain partners;
- the tools available to maximise the recovery and re-use of materials, including the ICE Demolition Protocol;
- use of pre-demolition audits, site waste management plans; and
- identifying and maximising the potential for recovered material in the new-build.
These FREE events will be delivered by experts from WRAP, EnviroCentre, BRE and TRL with regional speakers presenting local case studies of real demolition and new build projects. They will take place at a number of venues across England and Scotland, including Liverpool, Leicester, York, Solihull, Bristol, London and Stirling, and complement the highly successful Reconstruct awareness raising events run by WRAP last year. The Reconstruct events promoted the measurable business benefits achieved through procuring recycled content in construction projects, providing awareness of how recycled options are cost effective, meet performance requirements, and are readily available in the marketplace.