Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plans (PGRCD)
When must a PGRCD plan be prepared?
Any public works contract must have detailed drawings and must also include a Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan (PGRCD). The plan ensures compliance with the general principles of Construction and Demolition Waste (RCD) and other respective applicable standards as stipulated in this Decree-Law and in Decree-Law no. 178/2006, of 5 September.
The PGRCD is meant to create the conditions for good construction management, in terms of waste, by preventing and minimizing environmental impacts.
“Any waste created by work for construction, reconstruction, expansion, alteration, conservation and demolition and collapse of edifices is classified as RCD, which stands for Construction and Demolition Waste”
The civil construction sector is responsible for a substantial percentage of non-controlled waste dumping practices which, combined with systems based on end-of-line treatments, create constraints and undesirable environmental situations incompatible with national and EU environmental performance objectives. Consequently, specific legislation was prepared for flows of Construction and Demolition Waste (RCD) to overcome this scenario.
Better treatment and processing of construction and demolition waste was attained after the enactment of Decree-Law no. 46/2008, of 12 March, amended by Decree-Law no. 73/2011, of 17 June, in addition to the general principles for the management of Construction and Demolition Waste (RCD) and other respective standards applicable in combination with the RCD Prevention and Management Plan (PPGRCD).
Not preparing and/or not having the said plan available at the worksite is an example of an administrative infraction implying a hefty fine for the project owner if he/she does not fulfill this duty.
Fines range from €20,000 to €2,500,000 for very serious administrative infractions, €2,000 to €48,000 for serious administrative infractions and €200 to €22,500 for light administrative infractions, in conformity with Law no. 50/2006, of 29 August, amended by Law no. 89/2009, of 31 August, and rectified by Rectification Declaration no. 70/2009, of 1 October.
In the case of serious and very serious administrative infractions, in addition to the respective fine, an accessory sanction may also be applied, such as:
- Closing of the establishment;
- Loss of tax benefits;
- Termination or suspension of licenses.
Konceptness prepares the Prevention and Management Plan for Construction and Demolition Waste (RCD) that complies with and implements the necessary planning stages to prevent any danger or harm to human health or the environment. The plan guarantees compliance with the general waste management principles for construction and demolition waste in accordance with applicable laws.
