A pioneering trial set up to help the Welsh government to identify ways of meeting its target of zero waste to landfill by 2025 will utilise a photographic drone to capture images of sites and BIM models to analyse how design changes can affect reductions in waste.
The Enabling Zero Waste project, led by Constructing Excellence Wales (CEW), will work with four specially selected live construction projects across Wales to identify ways for construction and demolition projects to generate less waste, reuse materials and use more recycled content.
During the trial, CEW will provide site teams with practical assistance on all aspects of waste management, from concept to completion, while a waste consultant from sustainability specialist BQMC will provide advice and hard evidence to help change company perceptions and behaviour regarding waste management.
Cardiff-based firm Heli-Eye will mobilise a drone at various stages of the trial to quickly capture aerial images of the sites, while engineering consultant Arup and Cardiff-based architect Gillard Associates will develop BIM models to examine how design changes might affect reductions in waste.
"The latest figures released by the Welsh government suggest that we are already moving in the right direction, with 87% of construction and demolition waste now being recycled. However, there is still much work to be done."
Paul Jennings, Constructing Excellence Wales
Together, this input will help the project teams identify, manage and document every type of waste, as well as finding the root causes of waste and available solutions. Learning outcomes will be published online and via social media @EZWaste_Wales throughout the duration of each live project, with full reports on the achievements, solutions and lessons learnt published at the end.
Speaking at the launch, Paul Jennings, director of the Construction Waste Programme at CEW said: “In 2010 CEW was closely involved in preparation of the Welsh government’s Towards Zero Waste strategy and the accompanying Construction Sector Plan, which identified a range of recommendations and actions for the industry. We are therefore delighted to be involved in launching and implementing this new project, which aims to help Wales set an example for the rest of the world.”
He added: “The latest figures released by the Welsh government suggest that we are already moving in the right direction, with 87% of construction and demolition waste now being recycled. However, there is still much work to be done to reach the initial target of 90% or more of waste generated across every material waste stream in the construction and demolition sectors in Wales to be re-used or recycled by 2019/2020.”
The sites taking part in the pilot are: Care Home, in Castleton near Newport, being developed by Castleoak Care Partnerships; Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, being refurbished by John Weaver Contractors; Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay, built by Kier Construction; and Millbank Primary School in Cardiff, built by WRW Construction.
The £8.5m Care Home project comprises a 4,000m2, 80-bed care home of timber frame construction, manufactured off site at Castleoak’s timber frame factory in Ebbw Vale. The trial will focus on waste generated during the groundwork preparation and construction phases. Construction is due to complete in summer 2015.
Castleoak’s preliminary design work forecast particular waste streams resulting from the demolition of existing buildings, including a former commercial garden centre featuring steel, glass and concrete sheeting; ground modelling; the groundwork remediation phase; packaging and distribution resources; breakages, storage faults and trade errors; and waste resulting from the fit-out cycle.
The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery project involves the restoration and refurbishment of a 1911 grade II* listed Edwardian art gallery and 1974 extension, including the original 1911 fabric roofs, ceilings, walls and floors, plus protection and stabilisation works to existing retaining walls, and replacement of M&E services. A new three-storey link will also be constructed between the buildings.
Main contractor John Weaver will utilise the BRE SMARTWaste tool to help managers recognise and plan the management of construction waste, concentrating on reuse opportunities for wood block, railings, and bricks. It is likely that the sensitive restoration and refurbishment will generate additional waste on top of the predicted waste streams, which include plastic, timber, packaging, bricks, concrete and plasterboard. The project is due to be completed in the spring of 2015.
The £17.5m Ice Arena Wales, being built by Kier for developer Greenbank Partnerships, will become a premier ice sports facility in the UK and a key element of the £400m Cardiff International Sports Village. It will feature twin ice rinks, seating for 3,000 spectators, and a 200m indoor ski slope.
Kier is using BRE SMARTWaste to manage and reduce waste outputs, impacts and costs. Forecasts have been made about particular waste management challenges including the overuse of packaging and distribution resources, waste separation possibilities, steel working connections and final street works design. The project started on site in March 2014 and will be completed in July 2015.
The Millbank Primary School project involves the refurbishment of the original school, built in the 1900s, and a new-build element. Refurbishment and treatment works identified include issues related to dry rot, wet rot, damp infection and hazardous materials.
Waste management challenges relate to restricted access to the site, located in a built-up, residential area, and specific planning conditions limiting access and operations. The school is bound by housing and a public highway which makes storage problematic and regular waste collections essential. Main contractor WRW Construction occupied the site in spring 2014 and completion is expected this autumn.
