Project NoWaste (NoW) is a partnership project between Greenfile Developments, Bovis Lend Lease (BLL), UCATT the construction union and Business Link for London. Project NoW, part-sponsored by the Carbon Trust, is aimed at bringing lean construction techniques such as waste reduction to construction supervisors and operatives.

Chelsea Bridge Wharf is a luxury residential development by Berkeley Homes (Central London) Ltd. It is located next to Chelsea Bridge in London. BLL is the construction manager and Munnelly Support Services is the logistics contractor. Construction creates Waste Waste is a major issue in construction. It was estimated that between 15-20% of all building materials entering a construction site end up in skips as waste1.

Chelsea Bridge Wharf (computer generated image)

Much of this can be addressed through better design and planning, but the NoW partners also felt that construction teams can make a significant contribution towards waste reduction. The aim therefore is to engage the logistics team who handle materials logistics on site as the local champions. The aims of NoW at Chelsea Bridge Wharf were therefore awareness raising and skills development.

at work		Developing Skills and Developing People On many construction sites, the roles of materials handling and logistics are often carried out by people without nationally recognised qualifications. Waste management is a transferable skill and even more so when it is tied to a National or Scottish Vocational Qualification. By helping people gain skills in reducing waste, the NoW partners are not only enabling individuals to participate in sustainable construction, they are also developing lifelong skills for these individuals. The linking of recognised training with Project NoW was piloted in the summer of 2004. The project at Chelsea Bridge Wharf is the first deployment of the NoW-NVQ programme.

Partners in Managing Waste
The logistics team is responsible for many of the ancillary activities on a construction project. The team members deliver construction materials to the "work face" and removes rubbish from the trades teams. As such, they cover the entire construction site during all phases of construction.

Training this team can therefore offer the maximum benefits as they are in this role for the duration of the particular project and beyond. Furthermore, as they become more experienced, they can readily pass on advice and ideas to other construction teams. At Chelsea Bridge Wharf, BLL arranged a training programme for the logistics team to meet the requirements of the NVQ in Waste Management Operations and beyond.

Training Programme The training and development programme for the seven members of the logistics team enabled them to work towards the NVQs awarded by WAMITAB, the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board. Funding support for the NVQs came from Building London Creating Futures through the EQUAL Community Initiative and the Cross River Partnership. All the candidates were successful in achieving the NVQs following on-site training and assessment provided by Greenfile Developments / Munnelly and SERAC (South East Regional Assessment Centre) respectively. Funding support for the NVQs came from Building London Creating Futures through the EQUAL Community Initiative and the Cross River Partnership.

Danny Turner - Supervisor "Training benefits everybody"

With the push by Major Contractors towards basic skills in health and safety, the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) health and safety test is now a basic requirement for employability. A special CSCS Test training programme was developed by UCATT and Greenfile Developments and given as a revision training to those members of the Munnelly Support Service team that are awaiting their tests.

1. Michael Roberts, Confederation of Construction Clients, NetRegs Construction Sector Guidelines launch, London October 18th 2002