Waste Segregation On Site

Construction generates millions of tonnes of waste each year — proper segregation reduces landfill and saves money.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes a duty of care on anyone who produces, handles, or disposes of waste.
Common waste streams on site include timber, metal, plastic, plasterboard, concrete, soil, and general mixed waste.
Hazardous waste such as asbestos, contaminated soil, solvents, and paint must be segregated and disposed of separately.
Waste transfer notes must accompany all waste leaving site and be retained for two years (three years for hazardous waste).
Waste segregation into separate skips and containers saves disposal costs and maximises recycling and recovery rates.
Site Waste Management Plans help track waste types, quantities, and disposal routes throughout the project.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence — you are responsible for your waste until it reaches an authorised disposal facility.
Plasterboard must not be mixed with general waste — it produces toxic hydrogen sulphide gas when landfilled with biodegradable waste.
Reducing waste at source through better ordering, storage, and cutting practices is the most effective waste management strategy.

Legal duty	The duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes you legally responsible for your waste from creation to disposal.
Cost saving	Properly segregated waste costs significantly less to dispose of than mixed waste sent to landfill.
Environmental protection	Construction waste in landfill generates pollution and greenhouse gases — recycling reduces environmental harm.

Do

Don't

Segregate waste into the correct labelled skips and containers provided on site.
Check skip labels before depositing waste — put each material in the right container.
Keep waste storage areas tidy and prevent skips from overflowing or becoming mixed.
Dispose of hazardous waste separately using the correct containers and procedures.
Ensure waste transfer notes are completed for all waste leaving the site.
Reduce waste by ordering correct quantities and protecting materials from weather damage.
Reuse materials on site wherever possible before disposing of them as waste.
Know which wastes are hazardous and require special handling and documentation.
Keep plasterboard separate from general waste — it must not go to standard landfill.
Report any suspected illegal dumping or fly-tipping to your supervisor immediately.

DON'T put waste in the wrong skip — check the label and segregate correctly.
DON'T mix different waste types together in the same container or skip.
DON'T allow skips to overflow — request emptying before they become full.
DON'T put hazardous waste such as solvents or paint in general waste containers.
DON'T allow waste to leave site without a completed waste transfer note.
DON'T over-order materials — excess materials become waste and increase disposal costs.
DON'T throw reusable materials away — check if they can be used elsewhere on site.
DON'T ignore contaminated or hazardous waste — it requires special handling and disposal.
DON'T mix plasterboard with biodegradable waste — this creates toxic gas in landfill.
DON'T dump waste off site or allow others to remove waste without proper documentation.

See also: Hazardous Waste Disposal | Duty of Care (Waste Transfer Notes)

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Toolbox Talk Record