Fluctuating Waste Figures Raise Red Flags

The Numbers Don’t Add Up 

2012: Ireland generated approximately 9 million tonnes of C&D waste.

2021: The country reported 9 million tonnes of C&D waste again.
2022: This number dropped to 8.3 million tonnes, with soil and stones making up 85% of this waste.

In today’s rapidly evolving sustainability landscape, companies in the construction sector are under increasing pressure to report on their environmental impact. But how much of that reporting is real—and how much is just greenwashing?

The Greenwashing Trap in Construction

The industry has historically relied on vague data sets, estimates, and generalised assumptions to meet sustainability reporting requirements. But as legislation tightens, the practice of overstating environmental credentials without real, verifiable data is becoming a high-risk strategy.

Are Your Reports Built on Guesswork?

Some of the most common greenwashing tactics in the construction sector include:

• Over-reliance on industry averages rather than project-specific emissions tracking.

• Self-certifying sustainability claims without third-party audits.

• Estimating material recycling rates instead of real-time monitoring.

• Lack of transparency in supply chain sustainability practices.

• Avoiding long-term accountability by highlighting minor eco-friendly changes while ignoring core environmental issues.

On March 1st, 2024, Ireland took a significant step towards a sustainable future with the launch of the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy. This plan, which will guide waste prevention and management from 2024 to 2030, is a comprehensive roadmap for reducing waste, promoting reuse, and increasing recycling rates across key sectors, including construction and demolition (C&D).

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has identified a critical issue within the EU’s construction and demolition waste (C&DW) management. Despite boasting high recovery rates, a significant portion of this waste is subjected to low-grade recovery operations like backfilling. To tackle this challenge and enhance the quality of recycling and reuse, the EEA is championing the adoption of circular economy practices across the construction sector.

In today’s rapidly evolving construction and infrastructure sectors, road planing recovery represents a significant untapped opportunity for optimisation and growth. With annual material recoveries valued at millions of euros, organisations face growing pressure to ensure compliance, improve efficiency, and meet sustainability benchmarks. Here’s why digitising road planing recovery with Hub360 is not just a smart move but an essential one for future success.

Illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in Ireland is a pressing environmental and legal issue. The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) highlights the importance of using reputable waste companies for C&D waste collections, noting a troubling history of illegal dumping linked to this waste type. Such unauthorised disposal not only harms the environment but also threatens groundwater quality, with the original waste generator potentially held accountable for environmental damage (IWMA).

In construction projects, where multiple subcontractors manage critical tasks such as product deliveries and the removal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste from sites, the traditional approach of relying on end-of-day reports might seem sufficient. However, for large organisations with stringent compliance requirements, high-stakes audits, and the need to ensure operational efficiency, this approach often falls short. The gap between subcontractor reports and real-time oversight can lead to inefficiencies, compliance risks, and even reputational damage. Here’s why organisations must rethink their reliance on subcontractors’ self-reported data and embrace independent, real-time monitoring solutions like Hub360.

The construction industry has reached a turning point. As the demand for faster, more efficient project delivery grows, so does the need for sustainable practices, especially in managing material deliveries and construction and demolition (C&D) waste. For large organisations, embracing cutting-edge technology isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s the key to long-term success.

In an era of increasing accountability and environmental regulation, the question is no longer whether technology should play a role in construction—it’s how to harness it effectively. Hub360 is leading this transformation by providing real-time solutions tailored to the complexities of modern construction projects.

The construction sector faces mounting pressure to meet sustainability goals, enhance transparency, and comply with regulatory requirements like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Hub360 offers a tailored solution that simplifies sustainability reporting, reduces operational inefficiencies, and positions companies as leaders in ESG performance.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is set to transform sustainability reporting across Europe, and Ireland’s construction sector is no exception. With mandatory reporting beginning in 2025 for qualifying companies, it’s time for construction businesses to prepare for what’s coming.

The EPA State of the Environment Report 2024 underscores the construction sector’s significant environmental footprint, especially in terms of waste generation and emissions. Despite ambitious environmental policies in place, the report highlights serious deficits in how Ireland has implemented EU environmental legislation, making it clear that more rigorous enforcement and accountability are required. The construction sector, in particular, must take responsibility for addressing high levels of waste and emissions as it contributes significantly to environmental degradation.

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.