Construction and demolition

Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste includes any kind of waste created in the construction process, for example, soil and stone. In Ireland we produced 9 million tonnes of C&D waste in 2021. We also extract millions of tonnes of raw metal ores and minerals for construction and other activities. C&D waste is the largest waste stream produced in Ireland and represents one third of all waste produced within the European Union. This sector is a priority area of the EPA led Circular Economy Programme (CEP) which supports reaching key targets under EU Circular Economy proposals, landfill capacity limitations and proper management of soil, stone and C&D materials.

What is the EPA doing about construction and demolition?

An increased emphasis on preventing C&D waste and reducing the amount of C&D waste generated is needed.

The “Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management Plans for Construction & Demolition Projects” which were published by the Government in July 2006 have now been revised and can be downloaded at the link below.

The purpose of the Best practice guidelines for the preparation of resource & waste management plans for construction & demolition projects is to provide a practical approach which is informed by best practice in the prevention and management of C&D wastes and resources from design through to construction and deconstruction. The guidelines provide clients, developers, designers, practitioners, contractors, sub-contractors and competent authorities with a common approach to preparing Resource and Waste Management Plans.

The guidelines address the best practice approach for the following phases of a project:

Prior to Construction – including the stages of design, planning and procurement in advance of works on site; and
During Construction – relating to the effective management of resources and wastes during construction or demolition operations.

Implementation of the guidelines will help Ireland prevent C&D wastes, encourage reuse of materials where possible and thereafter sustainably reduce and recover waste materials.

The EPA published case studies and factsheets on how to manage and reduce waste during construction and demolition projects. These resources demonstrate both the financial and environmental benefits of reducing waste.

Construction & demolition is a priority area of the EPA-led Circular Economy Programme (CEP), which aims to prevent waste and drive the circular economy in Ireland. The CEP developed the following repository of guidance and reports into waste prevention and best practice in the construction and demolition sector.

Table 1: Resource efficiency and the Circular Economy best practice resources. Click on the links to access Resource efficiency and the Circular Economy best practice resources

Reference	Resource Link
Nordic Council of Ministers, 2018	Circular economy in the Nordic construction sector
Irish Green Building Council, 2018	Towards a circular economy in construction - Assessing low carbon, healthy, responsible products for the construction sector
RE4 project, 2017	Valorization of construction and demolition wastes: RE4 building solutions
European Commission, 2014	Communication from the commission on resource efficiency opportunities in the building sector
Zero Waste Scotland, 2017	Designing out construction waste - A guide for project design teams
European Commission, 2012	Communication from the commission on a strategy for the sustainable competitiveness of the construction sector and its enterprises
Nordic Council of Ministers, 2011	Assessment of initiatives to prevent waste from building and construction sectors

Table 2: Sustainability best practice resources. Click on the links to access sustainability best practice resources

Reference	Resource link
European Commission, 2019	Level(s) - taking action on the total impact of the construction sector
European Commission, 2017	Level(s) - A common EU framework of core sustainability indicators for office and residential buildings
Government of Ireland, 2016	Government of Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, 2013	Construction products regulation (CPR)
OPW, 2009	Sustainability policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW)

Table 3: Green procurement best practice resources. Click on the links to access green procurement best practice resources

Reference	Resource Link
Resource Efficient Scotland, 2017	Procuring resource efficient construction projects
Resource Efficient Scotland, 2015	Design led whole life costing tool user manual
European Commission, 2016	EU GPP criteria for office building design, construction and management
European Commission, 2016	Green Public Procurement criteria for office building design, construction and management - Procurement practice
European Commission, 2016	EU Green Public Procurement criteria for road design, construction and maintenance
European Commission, 2016	Revision of Green Public Procurement criteria for road design, construction and maintenance - Procurement practice guidance document
Environmental Protection Agency, 2024	Green Public Procurement Guidance
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 2014	Review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative Model in Ireland
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 2011	Green Tenders, an Action Plan on Green Public Procurement
WRAP, 2009	Construction procurement guidance - delivering higher recycled content in construction projects

Table 4: C&D waste management best practice resources Click on the links to access C&D waste management best practice resources

Reference	Resource Link
County and City Management Association, 2020	Management of materials arising from roadworks. 2020 guidance for the local authority sector
Environmental Protection Agency, 2021
Environmental Protection Agency, 2019	Guidance on soil and stone by-product
European Commission, 2018	EU guidelines for the waste audits before demolition and renovation works on buildings
Transport Infrastructure Ireland, 2017	The management of waste from national road construction projects
European Commission, 2016	EU construction and demolition waste management protocol - Executive summary
European Commission, 2016	EU construction and demolition waste management protocol
ENCORD, 2013	Construction Waste Measurement Protocol
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 2020	A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy
Institute for Prospective Technological Studies Sustainable Production and Consumption Unit, 2012	Best environmental management practice for the building and constructor sector
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 2006	These 2006 guidelines are in the process of being revised by the EPA and will be published following a public consultation period.