Two thirds of construction businesses still don't know what a Site waste management Plan is, according to new research by NetRegs. - Over 60% do not realise the plans are set to become a legal requirement next year. - NetRegs' campaign highlights the importance of taking immediate action to reduce site waste and is backed by the industry and government.

The construction industry and the Department of Trade and Industry are backing a new campaign launched today by NetRegs - a free and confidential website that provides practical, industry-specific guidance to small businesses on their environmental obligations.

Margaret Hodge MP, Industry Minister, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), Construction Skills, and Travis Perkins are supporting the 'Site Waste - It's Criminal' campaign, aimed at raising awareness of Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs).

They are encouraging small businesses in the construction sector to wake up to using SWMPs by highlighting the financial and legal importance of preparing early for the plans, due to become a legal requirement in Spring 2008.

The 'Site Waste - It's Criminal' campaign has been launched by NetRegs - set up by the UK's environmental regulators - in response to its recent survey of small businesses in the construction sector across the UK.

The survey found almost a quarter (24%) had never introduced any practices that prevent harm to the environment and more than half admitted that although they try their best, they could work harder at being environmentally friendly.

Most concerning was that two thirds of respondents (66%) said they didn't know what an SWMP is and 63% were not aware that SWMPs could soon become a legal requirement.

Yet construction waste costs businesses money.

The average eight cubic yard skip costs around GBP150 to hire and its discarded contents is worth, on average, over GBP1,200.

In the UK it is estimated that 13% of all materials delivered to site go into skips without ever being used (Source: CIRIA).

The NetRegs campaign will provide construction businesses with a new online guide to explain SWMP legislation.

Freely available through www.netregs.gov.uk 'Site Waste - It's Criminal - A simple guide to Site Waste Management Plans' is packed with easy-to-understand, practical information and straightforward, downloadable data sheet templates that businesses can use as a basis to create their own SWMP.

Regular updates on the legislation will be provided to businesses that register for NetRegs' online e-alerts service.

By putting an effective SWMP in place, construction projects will be legally compliant, enjoy significant cost savings and play an important role in improving the local environment.

Richard Martin, Programme Manager at NetRegs, said: 'Every year the construction industry produces approximately five tonnes of waste for every person living in the UK.

Our research shows that 89% of small business in the sector would welcome more information on SWMPs.

'Site Waste - It's Criminal' is designed to help construction businesses better understand the importance of SWMPs while providing practical guidance on how to prepare for them becoming law.

It's not just the legal implications they need to consider, but also the huge amount of money they could save.' Margaret Hodge MP, Industry Minister, welcomed the campaign by saying: 'This site will help businesses find out what they need to know about the new legislation before it comes into force next year.

The legislation needn't be a burden to businesses.

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) are a good way to help businesses be careful about how they use, store and dispose of materials.

It will also benefit the environment by reducing the waste generated from construction sites.

'The NetRegs site will be a very useful tool for businesses to consult and to help them prepare their own SWMPs'.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is supporting the campaign.

Tom Dibaja, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said: 'With the new SWMP legislation not due to come into force until next year, it might be tempting for businesses to put off planning until later in the year.

Our advice is don't, it's a false economy.

Prioritise the introduction of waste minimisation and responsible methods of disposal and you'll benefit from saving time, money and avoid the risk of prosecution'.

Karen Pimley, Project Manager for Sustainability Projects at ConstructionSkills, said that training has an important role to play in changing current practices: 'Sustainability is an issue central to our built environment.

If we are to meet the current demand of the construction industry and help deliver the government's targets for a sustainable future, the workforce must be skilled in modern and sustainable building techniques.

The NetRegs campaign helps to deliver this message both on a national and at a local level and complements the range of training courses available at our National Construction College covering sustainability and site waste management'.

For further information about Site Waste Management Plans or to download the guide, visit www.netregs.gov.uk Small businesses can also register on NetRegs to receive its free e-alerts email service that provides updates about environmental legislation and guidance on how to comply.