What do we do with debris after renovation and demolition?

One of the biggest environmental issues is the uncontrolled disposal of inert materials (known as rubble) from construction, renovation, and demolition work.

In Greece, it is estimated that approximately 7 million tons of inert materials are disposed of uncontrollably each year. This uncontrolled disposal results in the aesthetic degradation of the environment and the pollution of soil, groundwater, and the atmosphere. The growing demand for aggregates in both Europe and Greece makes their rational management necessary and the need for environmental protection and sustainable development imperative.

According to Greek law, recycling waste materials is mandatory, and we must recycle 70% of materials.

Within this framework, the state has implemented the National Waste Prevention Program (EPPA). The program’s goal is to make the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure projects more circular. Specifically, “smart building design” should be incorporated into both new and renovated buildings in order to extend their lifespan and adaptability to change. In addition, the choice of materials used for construction or renovation should be made taking into account their environmental impact, the ease of their reuse or even their recycling at the end of their life.

 

 

What are the owner’s obligations when issuing a building permit or demolition permit?

1) Under the responsibility of the engineer issuing the building permit, a Waste Management Plan shall be submitted to the town planning department, in accordance with the obligations arising from the legislation.

2) To ensure that these obligations are fulfilled, the operator is required, at the start of the works, to submit to the town planning department, together with a certified copy of the Waste Management Data (WMD), a letter of guarantee from a recognised bank or the Deposit and Loan Fund, amounting to 0.2% of the total project budget exclusively for excavation works and 0.5% of the total project budget for construction and demolition works.

3) Within 30 days of completing the management of CDW, the manager must submit to the urban planning department a certificate of receipt of CDW from an approved alternative management system, which, in addition to the details of the person responsible, the address and activity of origin of the waste, it must also contain precise details of the categories and quantities of CDW received, based on the relevant documents (delivery notes, invoices, etc.) kept in the records of the system in question.

4) Within 10 days of the submission of the above Certificate, the letter of guarantee shall be returned to the relevant AEKK administrator.

5) Also, for the issuance of a building permit and demolition permit, respectively, in addition to the Waste Management Plan (WMP) supporting document, a copy of the signed contract of the Excavation and Demolition Waste (EDW) manager with an approved alternative management system must also be submitted.

What other construction work requires construction waste management?

 

 

According to the new regulations, construction waste management is provided for in the following cases:

1) for granting approval for the demolition of structures or buildings that are classified as dangerously dilapidated

2) for the demolition or restoration of structures that have been definitively deemed unauthorized

3) for unauthorized buildings that were subject to a law on unauthorized buildings, and for the completion of the regularization process, a permit for legalization or demolition of buildings is required

In the above cases, the following is required:

a) the submission of data on the management of waste produced and

b) submission of the signed contract of the Excavation and Demolition Waste Manager with an approved alternative management system to ensure that provision has been made for waste management prior to the start of demolition.

What applies to renovation work carried out with a Small-Scale Permit?

 

With the new environmental law, the obligation to manage waste is extended to Small-Scale Works Approval.

 

Specifically, the following are required for the issuance of the license:

a) Submission of a Waste Management Plan and

b) Copy of the signed contract of the Excavation and Demolition Waste Manager with an approved alternative system.

 

It is also possible to submit a solemn declaration by the owner that he will take care of the management of the waste produced, either by his own means or in cooperation with the relevant local authority, if there is no approved alternative management system covering the geographical area in which the work is to be carried out, until the date of issue of the work permit.

 

Can I throw the debris in the municipal trash bin and have it picked up by the cleaning service?
Construction waste must be sent to special management sites, where it is recycled in accordance with applicable legislation, specifically Article 7 of Joint Ministerial Decision 36259/2010, which stipulates that the producer of the waste is responsible for its management. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of all of us to halt climate change, and the alternative management of these materials contributes significantly to this.

 

What is a Construction Inspection Certificate?
When the construction work is completed and the final inspection by the Building Inspector has been carried out, the Energy Performance Certificate is issued, if required, and finally the Building Control Certificate (P.E.K.) is issued by the town planning department. In order for the Construction Inspection Certificate (P.E.K.) to be issued, a certificate of receipt of waste is required, from an approved alternative management system in cases where a contract is concluded with SSED AEKK for waste management, in order to confirm upon completion of the construction that waste management has been completed in accordance with environmental legislation.

Thus, the building or section is considered complete and the building permit can be approved and the connection to the networks can be made.

 

Who monitors whether construction waste is being managed properly?
Under the new legislative framework, it is stipulated that when a building permit or small-scale works approval is issued by the electronic system and a permit number is obtained, the Labor Inspectorate (where required), the relevant Police Department and the Environment Department of the relevant local authority so that it can exercise its relevant powers to ensure the proper and complete management of waste for works carried out within its geographical area of responsibility in order to prevent environmental degradation through the uncontrolled dumping of rubble.