CC/CE: Reducing waste and supporting the circular economy

4.25. The objective of this policy is to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill, both during the construction and operational phases of development. Circular economy principles are seen as the best means of ensuring materials stay in their highest use state for the longest period of time, with disposal and end of life considerations forming part of the development design principles.
4.26. Operational waste should be managed in accordance with relevant Waste Management Design Guidance, aiming to provide adequate, flexible and easily accessible waste storage for site occupants.
4.27. Circular economy principles will therefore be combined with the whole life carbon assessment to minimise the carbon embodied in construction materials, and ensure materials and buildings are capable of being reused and adapted over their lifespan.
4.28. The design of buildings will be carefully considered to allow for disassembly and material repurposing at the end of useful life. The scheme will adopt a ‘materials bank’ approach to construction. Dynamically and flexibly designed buildings will be incorporated into the circular economy, where materials in buildings sustain their value. This will lead to waste reduction and the use of fewer virgin resources.
4.29. During design development, the design team will examine the potential to include innovative approaches to operational waste management, including underground refuse systems in higher density areas of development.