Developers and contractors have a vital role in managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and they must adhere to several specific legal obligations to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Here’s an overview of their key responsibilities:

In 2024, the Irish government introduced new regulations known as the Circular Economy (Waste Recovery Levy) Regulations. These rules are set to significantly impact how construction and demolition (C&D) waste is handled and could bring about additional costs for developers. If you’re a developer, it's essential to understand the implications of this levy so you can manage your projects and budgets effectively.

The EPA State of the Environment Report 2024 paints a clear picture of the environmental challenges Ireland faces. The report underscores the urgency of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution through systemic solutions. With sectors like construction, energy, and transport being major contributors to environmental degradation, there is a growing push for stricter regulations and digital solutions to track, manage, and mitigate these impacts. For businesses, this means adapting to new realities of compliance, transparency, and sustainability.

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.

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 places significant responsibilities on local authorities when they manage infrastructure or construction projects. Just like private developers, local authorities are classified as the waste producers for any project they oversee, meaning they bear full legal responsibility for managing waste in compliance with strict environmental regulations.

The construction industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, particularly as governments and financial institutions tie green funding to strict environmental standards. One of the most crucial aspects of achieving compliance with these standards is proper waste tracking. The EU Taxonomy Regulation (2020/852) sets out clear technical screening criteria that construction projects must meet to qualify for green funding. Proper waste management and resource use monitoring are essential for demonstrating compliance and securing investment. Here’s why.

As the European Union sharpens its focus on sustainable finance, the recent adoption of the European Green Bond (EuGB) standard marks a pivotal step in ensuring that funds raised for green projects are used responsibly and transparently. For public bodies accessing green finance, this development highlights the critical need to report on their sustainability practices and maintain a proper audit trail for scrutiny. Hub360 is a crucial tool in achieving these objectives, ensuring that public sector entities not only comply with new regulations but also set a benchmark for transparency and accountability in green finance.

The construction and demolition (C&D) sector is a significant contributor to waste generation, accounting for approximately one-third of all waste produced annually in the European Union. With C&D waste consisting largely of excavated soil and stone (around 85%), along with materials like concrete, brick, tiles, glass, metal, plastic, and wood, managing this waste stream effectively is crucial. At Hub360, we are committed to helping organisations in the construction sector implement sustainable waste management oversight that align with evolving regulations and contribute to the circular economy.

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.

Starting 1 September 2024, Ireland will see a significant change in its waste management regulations. The Waste Recovery and Landfill Levy Regulations will be amended to remove exemptions for Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste. This blog delves into the implications of this change and highlights how Hub360's digital tracking capabilities will play a crucial role in this new landscape.

In May this year, the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) came into effect in Ireland, marking a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts to secure a sustainable and reliable supply of critical raw materials. The Act is designed to help Europe achieve its 2030 climate and digital objectives by ensuring that these essential materials are sourced, used, and recycled in a sustainable and efficient manner.