Recycled and Secondary Aggregates (BREEAM Wst02)

BREEAM Wst02 encourages the use of recycled and secondary aggregates in construction projects to reduce reliance on virgin materials, improve resource efficiency and support circular economy principles. The credit rewards projects that incorporate responsibly sourced recycled materials while demonstrating compliance through calculation, verification and reporting processes. WPS Compliance Consulting supports contractors and developers in achieving Wst02 credits through aggregate assessments and compliance management.

What is BREEAM Wst02?

BREEAM Wst02 forms part of the Waste category within the BREEAM assessment framework. The credit promotes the use of recycled and secondary aggregates to reduce environmental impacts associated with extracting and transporting virgin materials.

The aim is to improve material efficiency and encourage the reuse of valuable resources within construction projects.

Recycled and Secondary Aggregates Explained

Recycled Aggregates

Typically produced from:

• Demolition waste
• Crushed concrete
• Reclaimed construction materials
• Excavated materials

Secondary Aggregates

Typically produced from industrial by-products such as:

• Incinerator bottom ash aggregates
• Furnace slags
• Other approved secondary material sources

Supporting Circular Economy Objectives

The use of recycled and secondary aggregates helps:

• Reduce demand for virgin materials
• Minimise waste disposal
• Support material reuse
• Reduce environmental impacts
• Improve resource efficiency
• Contribute to circular economy goals

Benefits of Recycled Aggregates

Using recycled and secondary aggregates can:

• Reduce landfill waste
• Lower embodied environmental impacts
• Reduce extraction of natural resources
• Improve material efficiency
• Support sustainability objectives
• Enhance BREEAM performance

Demonstrating Compliance

To achieve BREEAM Wst02 credits, projects typically need to:

• Identify recycled aggregate sources
• Record aggregate quantities
• Verify material origins
• Calculate recycled content percentages
• Produce supporting evidence
• Demonstrate compliance with BREEAM requirements

How WPS Supports Wst02 Compliance

WPS can assist with:

• Recycled aggregate calculations
• Evidence collection
• Supplier verification
• Compliance reporting
• BREEAM documentation
• Assessor liaison
• Credit optimisation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are recycled aggregates?

Recycled aggregates are construction materials recovered from demolition, excavation or construction activities and reused within new projects.

What are secondary aggregates?

Secondary aggregates are produced from industrial by-products rather than primary extraction activities.

What is BREEAM Wst02?

BREEAM Wst02 is a credit that promotes the use of recycled and secondary aggregates within construction projects.

Why are recycled aggregates important?

They help reduce waste, conserve natural resources and improve sustainability performance.

Can WPS help achieve Wst02 credits?

Yes. WPS provides calculation, verification and compliance support for recycled aggregate requirements.