06 - Waste

Alternative methods for ensuring the re-use or recycling of materials - KBCN1150

In a scenario where management processes result in the recycling or re-use of a waste stream, this can be considered as one additional compliant waste stream within the question. For example, sites where a take-back scheme is utilised with installers/manufacturers for a particular waste stream, and the manufacturer re-uses or recycles this off-site. In order for this to be compliant the following must have been met:

1. The Assessor must clearly outline the waste stream which is being recycled/re-used
2. The Assessor must clearly outline the process which occurs, including: (a) How the waste leaves the site, and (b) What happens to the waste after it leaves the site
3. If the waste is transferred to another party (such as a supplier in a take-back scheme), there needs to be evidence of a current valid agreement/contract in place outlining that this service will be provided for at least 12 months.
4. All relevant legislation is complied with.
5. This should be a regular occurrence of waste, and subsequently should be collected at least once a month.
6. If the waste remains on-site temporarily before it is removed, the waste should therefore be stored in line with the assessment criteria outlined in WST 01.

Note: it is not possible to award credits for the same waste stream twice. For example, a take-back scheme for cardboard, as well as a recycling point for cardboard in the centralised waste storage location, can only be considered to be one waste stream.

---

Suitability of waste storage facilities - KBCN0186

In situations where direct vehicular access to the recyclable waste store is limited by logistics or if size is a problem, for example inner city locations, some flexibility to the application of the criteria is allowed. The assessor can use their judgement on whether the storage space is appropriately sized and if the distance and changes in level via lifts or steps are acceptable. Convenience, H&S issues and the volume and type of waste likely to be generated must be considered.  Where the assessor deems the arrangement to be satisfactory this would be acceptable. Typically ‘accessible’ is defined as being within 20m of a building entrance. In some circumstances site restrictions or tenancy arrangements could mean it is not possible for the facilities to be within 20m of a building entrance. If, in the opinion of the BREEAM assessor it is not feasible for the facilities to be within 20m of a building entrance, their judgement can be used to determine if the facility is deemed to be ‘accessible’ to the building occupants and for vehicle collection.

---

Waste streams – clarification - KBCN1526

Scope The focus of the criteria is on recyclable materials only. Any facilities / spaces for managing recyclable materials must be in addition to spaces / facilities for managing general waste. Definition “Waste streams are flows of specific waste, from its source through to recovery, recycling or disposal. Waste streams can be divided into two broad types:

• Streams made of materials (such as metals or plastics).
• Streams made of certain products (such as electronic waste or end-of-life vehicles).”

Source For BREEAM, a waste stream is a material / product with its own recycling process. This means each stream needs to be separated from other materials before it can be effectively processed into new materials / products. This separation can happen in the asset, or (in the case of co-mingled waste) after collection from the asset. Residential waste streams In most cases, this is defined by how it will be how be sorted and collected by municipal waste authorities. Where no local guidance exists, the list below may be used as a guide. Recyclable waste streams (answer option C in BREEAM In-Use Residential V6):

• Paper and cardboard.
• Glass.
• Plastics.
• Metals.
• Wood and wood-based products.
• Oils.
• Batteries.
• Electrical and electronic equipment.

Compostable / recyclable waste streams (answer option D in BREEAM In-Use Residential V6):

• Food waste.
• Garden waste.

Commercial waste streams Commercial assets will generate specialised waste streams specific to the asset's function. These are typically:

• Generated consistently, and in large volumes.
• Are specifically separated for recycling.

In these cases, waste streams such as metals, plastics and paper / cardboard may be sub-divided into specialised waste streams where they meet the above. Example scenarios [accordion] [accordion_block title="Scope"] A vehicle repair workshop generates the following waste streams:

• Metals.
• Paper / cardboard.
• Plastics.
• Engine oils.
• General waste.

The engine oils and general waste cannot be re-processed into other usable materials. Only 3 recyclable waste streams can be considered for BREEAM assessment. [/accordion_block] [accordion_block title="Residential"] The local authority collects co-mingled waste for the asset. This waste mixes together:

• Metals.
• Paper and cardboard.
• Plastics.

This co-mingled waste can be counted as 3 waste streams. [/accordion_block] [accordion_block title="Commercial"] A supermarket consistently generates large quantities of cardboard packaging. This cardboard forms a significant portion of recycable waste generation. It is baled up and collected separately by a specialised waste contractor. In this case, cardboard waste can be considered a separate waste stream from paper. [/accordion_block] [/accordion]

18-Jan-2024 - Clarified list of residential waste streams (separated compostable waste streams and added relevant answer options).

---