BREEAM Wst01:
Construction Waste Management

✓ Counts as diverted

Recycled (MRF)

Composted

Energy from Waste (EfW)

Reused on site

Reused off site

Inert material to appropriate facility

✗ Does not count

Standard landfill

Hazardous waste landfill

Unknown disposal route

Unverified carrier movements

Movements without destination records

What is BREEAM Wst01?

BREEAM Wst01 is the Construction Waste Management credit within the BREEAM UK New Construction and Refurbishment rating schemes. It awards up to 3 credits for managing construction waste responsibly — primarily measured by the percentage of waste diverted from landfill. A SWMP and a complete digital movement register are mandatory evidence requirements for any credit level.

What counts as waste diversion from landfill?

Any disposal route other than landfill counts as diverted. This includes: recycling (MRF), composting, energy from waste (EfW), reuse on site, reuse off site, and inert fill. Inert landfill (soil, concrete, bricks) counts towards the diversion rate if diverted to an appropriate facility. Standard landfill and hazardous waste landfill do not count.

Is the 95% diversion rate achievable on a typical new-build?

Yes — modern construction sites regularly achieve 95%+ diversion with the right skip segregation and carrier selection. The key is actively choosing recycling and energy recovery routes from the start of the project, separating inert materials (concrete, soil, bricks) from mixed construction waste, and logging every movement so nothing is counted as landfill by default.

When does the SWMP need to be prepared?

The Site Waste Management Plan must be dated before construction work begins (pre-construction). A SWMP produced retrospectively will not be accepted by a BREEAM assessor regardless of the diversion rate achieved. WasteMapper prompts you to complete the SWMP fields at project creation.

Who needs to verify carrier licences for Wst01?

The principal contractor is responsible for verifying that every waste carrier used on site holds a valid Environment Agency upper-tier waste carrier registration. This must be documented in the movement register — the licence number, carrier name, and registration status at the time of collection. WasteMapper verifies licences live against the EA register at the point of logging.

Can WasteMapper generate the Wst01 evidence pack?

Yes. WasteMapper compiles the full Wst01 evidence pack in one click — movement register, diversion rate calculation, carrier verification log, waste stream breakdown by EWC code, and a formatted PDF ready for submission to your BREEAM assessor. Available on Site, Pro, and Intelligence plans.

Does BREEAM Wst01 apply to refurbishment projects?

Yes. BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out includes a Wst01 equivalent credit with the same evidence requirements. The diversion rate targets may differ slightly by scheme version — check with your assessor for the applicable version of BREEAM on your project.