07 - Waste - BREEAM Knowledge Base

Compactor/baler/organic waste storage requirements – Speculative/Shell only/Shell and core - KBCN1662

For Shell only/Shell and core assessments and speculative developments, where the scope of works does not include the installation of such facilities but the building function suggests that they will be required, appropriately sized space, services and infrastructure for the relevant facilities must be provided. The facilities themselves do not necessarily need to be provided or installed to demonstrate compliance.

01 Oct 2024 - Title and wording updated to clarify that this approach can be applied for shell only and shell and core, as well as speculative projects. Applied to International NC.

Designed-out or integrated finishes - KBCN1066

The requirements for this credit are met when either:

No finishes within the scope of the issue have been specified, or
Finishes are integrated into the asset and designed in a way that the finish cannot be removed. For instance, a self-finished timber floor or exposed soffit which cannot be removed and does not require additional finishes when installed.

This issue recognises avoiding unnecessary waste of materials.

16-May-2023 - Merged with KBCN0046. Scheme applicability updated. Name updated for clarity.

Exemplary credit – Ene 01 credits required - KBCN1556

For the exemplary credit, the requirement for 'Ene 01 Reduction of energy use and carbon emissions' is to achieve four credits, (rather than the eight stated in the manual). This is due to the altered credit scale in NC V6 Ene 01. This will be updated in the next reissue of the technical manual

Off-site waste sorting / no dedicated on-site waste storage - KBCN0696

BREEAM assesses the dedicated space for recyclable waste storage. Where this space does not exist: For NC or RFO The aim of the issue is met by provide evidence covering all points 1-4:

A waste management plan which provides on-site storage between collections, adequately sized based on the frequency of collection.
An on-going waste recycling contract.
The typical recycling rates from the waste management company.
A permanent internal or external space within the asset site boundary that can be converted to comply with all criteria requirements. Drawings must be provided showing how this space could be converted in future, including meeting all relevant criteria for: • User and vehicle access, • Area requirements for waste storage, • Appropriate size and number of containers for the expected waste streams, and • Space allowance for any additional waste processing requirements e.g. compactors, composting containers, water outlets etc.

This ensures that there is:

A robust off-site waste management strategy,
Proof of future convertibility for on-site waste storage.

BIU V6 Commercial only The above approach for NC / RFO only applies to waste storage for construction fit-outs, which are temporary in nature. It does not apply to any other credits, and compliance cannot be met based on future commitments. This means that the above approach:

Does not apply to recyclable waste storage. Rsc 02 | Answers C + D
Does apply to off-site sorting for construction waste arising from fit-out activities. Rsc 02 | Answer E. Only points 1-3 apply - a future commitment for permanent storage facility is not required.
Do not apply to the storage of reusable construction products Rsc 02 | Answer F.

For BIU, new storage areas will be recognised once they are completed and assessed in future certification cycles.

22-Jan-2025 - Updated text to allow for permanent external spaces, aligning with KBCN1716. Scheme applicability updated.
18-Nov-2024 - Requirements for BIU projects clarified relating to all answers in Rsc 02. Title clarified.
09-Feb-2024 - Requirements clarified. Applicability updated to include construction waste storage for BIU V6 Rsc 02.
17-Jan-2024 - Scheme applicability updated.
16-Apr-2018 - Wording clarified.

Operational waste facility – extension of definition – compliance principle - KBCN1716

The original intent in BREEAM was that an operational waste facility is a centralised, on-site permanent enclosed structure or dedicated internal space in the asset. However, this approach is not always suitable for all asset types. Compliance principle The definition of operational waste facility is expanded to include dedicated external spaces. The principles for operational waste facilities are that they:

Are adequately sized and equipped to manage expected waste streams.
Are designed with the appropriate access and accessibility arrangements for all relevant users and vehicles.
Are easy to find.
Minimise disruption to users or neighbours during operation.

The table below shows how the original principles are adapted for dedicated external spaces. BIU V6 Commercial only This compliance principle also applies to the storage of:

Construction waste for fit-outs. Rsc 02 | Answer E.
Re-usable construction products. Rsc 02 | Answer F.

Principle	Compliance principle
Dedicated and permanent.	This space can be a *dedicated and permanent external space.*
Adequately sized and equipped.	External spaces must still meet relevant requirements for size, required waste processing equipment and water outlets for composting. Where the asset contains multiple tenants or user groups with different needs, the waste facility can be multiple spaces, provided all of them meet the criteria. The minimum size calculation requirement is based on the combined area of all waste facilities.
Appropriate access and accessibility.	The external space must meet requirements for size and access for all relevant users and vehicles, Any external spaces must also be adequately lit through a permanent lighting solution that is fit for purpose. Compliance for this could be shown through meeting criteria in other issues relating to external lighting.
Easy to find.	As well as permanent signs, external spaces can be marked out through permanent ground markings, bollards, or other permanent features.
Minimises disruption.	Any external facilities must: - Minimise light pollution and disruptive glare to neighbours, if the space is lit at night. - Minimise any contamination and air quality issues arising from waste stored. - Minimise disruptive noise during operation. Justification and, where relevant, evidence of mitigation measures must be provided to show how these principles are being met. Evidence from other relevant assessment issues can be used.

Recyclable, general and organic waste storage – space, labelling and segregation - KBCN1577

Strategies may vary according to the specifics of each project, their waste streams and collection arrangements.

Any reference to ‘labelling’ refers to permanent markings or fixed, robust and weatherproof signage.
Colour coding of bins to identify waste streams is not in itself compliant labelling.

The aim of these requirements is to encourage recycling, ensuring that it is correctly sorted and to prevent cross-contamination of waste streams. Label the recycling area This is required to alert building users and collection agencies to the location of the recycling facility. Label each recyclable waste stream This can be done by labelling the bins or their dedicated space within the recycling facility, or both. Mixed recycling bins and / or spaces are clearly labelled with their constituent waste streams. General or organic waste have their own dedicated spaces Sufficient space for general and, where relevant, organic waste is required in addition to meeting the requirements for recyclable waste. This does not have to be within a separate facility, but if combined with recyclable waste storage, there is greater risk of cross-contamination. The following requirements apply in this situation:

For organic waste, see also additional hygiene-related requirements within the technical manual.
In line with the requirement for the recycling area to be clearly labelled, general or organic waste must be stored in labelled bins and in a labelled, dedicated space within the combined waste facility.

If provision of waste bins is out of scope Where the provision of waste bins is outside the scope of the developer, it is clearly not possible to label the bins. In this situation, the following compliance options are available:

Provide compliant signage to the storage area and label bin spaces within the storage area according to the relevant waste streams.
Where future waste streams are unknown, provide compliant signage to the storage area and a written commitment from the developer to ensure that the bins and/or bin spaces are labelled.

21-May-2024 - Link to KBCN0696 removed. Merged with KBCN1380. Minor clarification added on mixed recycling.

Self-contained dwellings / bedrooms with shared facilities – mixed recycling - KBCN1664

Where there is mixed recycling, the number of recyclables containers can be reduced to match the final waste streams being collected. For example, the standard BREEAM requirement is three recyclables containers per dwelling / communal facility.

Where there are two waste streams (for example mixed paper, plastics and metals with a separate glass collection) then only two containers are required.
Where there is only one waste stream, only one container is required.

The total combined storage volume requirements are the same as stated in the manuals. To apply this KBCN, the project team must provide evidence to QA of the waste collection policies that apply to the asset.

Speculative floor finishes – Take-back and re-use policy - KBCN1702

Where a developer has an established written policy whereby unwanted floor finishes will be removed for re-use elsewhere prior to the tenant taking possession, this can be considered as meeting the aim of this issue. This is only applicable to types of flooring which are suitable for re-use, can be easily removed and do not require the use of adhesives or other permanent means of fixing. Additionally, the tenancy agreement must otherwise prohibit the removal of the flooring by the tenant Evidence to support this approach would include: • A copy of the take-back policy • Details of the flooring type and material • A copy of the tenancy agreement

New Construction / UK / V6 /

07 - Waste