In an evolving construction landscape, where sustainability and efficiency are paramount, one of Ireland’s largest developers has recently made headlines by refusing to accept paper-based documentation from suppliers and subcontractors on their project sites. This bold move is not just about cutting down on tedious, time-consuming processes, but is also aimed at ensuring compliance
with various new regulations that demand accountability in both environmental and operational aspects.

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 introduces specific responsibilities for waste management, particularly targeting those involved in construction and demolition industries. It places the obligation directly on waste producers, including both main contractors and subcontractors, to ensure that all construction and demolition waste is managed in line with strict regulations regarding recycling, reuse, and disposal.

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 has brought significant changes to how the construction industry in Ireland must manage its waste. Despite this, many in the sector seem unaware of the substantial legal responsibilities now placed upon them. If you are a contractor, subcontractor, or part of the broader construction industry, it’s time to take note: you are responsible for the waste generated from your projects, and where it ends up, and failure to comply could have serious consequences.

Based on the Green Public Procurement (GPP) Guidance for the Irish Public Sector, Hub360 can assist in several important areas related to green procurement and compliance, particularly in terms of data management, sustainability, and tracking environmental performance:

The concept of a circular economy—where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value before recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their service life—is crucial for the construction industry. With construction and demolition activities accounting for a significant portion of global waste, the sector is at the forefront of the circular economy challenge. However, without the proper digital tools to track material flows, monitor waste streams, and ensure compliance with sustainability directives, achieving circular economy goals remains out of reach.

Effective construction site management is essential for the success of any project. With numerous materials and waste to handle, keeping track of everything can be challenging. Hub360 offers innovative technology designed to streamline these processes, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Here are five ways Hub360 can improve your construction site management.

In the construction industry, transparency and accountability are crucial. Project owners need to know what materials have been used on-site and what materials and waste have gone off-site. They are responsible for ensuring these materials are disposed of or moved to their intended destinations. Hub360 provides a comprehensive solution with verifiable data, ensuring that all movements related to site operations are accurately documented and transparent for everyone involved. In this blog post, we'll explore how Hub360's verifiable data enhances transparency and accountability, transforming site management practices.

Navigating the complexities of environmental compliance, including the preparation of Annual Environmental Reports (AER) and regular audits, demands an efficient, error-free reporting system. Hub360 offers a transformative solution by automating compliance reporting and significantly simplifying the audit process.

TTII – Transport Infrastructure Ireland has identified what is needed to implement a circular economy approach in our national road projects which identifies key strategies aimed at maximising material reuse, minimising waste, and promoting sustainable practices throughout the project lifecycle. These include;

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has identified significant challenges in Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) management that need to be addressed, these are challenges where the Hub360 Platform emerges as a strategic solution.

The change in the definition of backfilling in the revised Waste Framework Directive of 2018 reflects the need to address the quality and environmental impact of recovery operations related to construction and demolition waste (C&DW). The original definition, as per Commission Decision 2011/753/EU, described backfilling as a recovery operation where suitable waste is used for reclamation or engineering purposes in excavated areas or landscaping, serving as a substitute for non-waste materials.

The concept of a circular economy in the construction industry focuses on reducing waste, promoting recycling, and encouraging the sustainable use of resources. Here are some key aspects that the EPAN in Ireland have emphasised in waste their management guidelines: