The Street Works Waste Classification (SWUK), launching in October 2025, is set to overhaul how waste from road and utility excavations is managed in the UK. For local authorities, contractors, and sustainability leaders, SWUK means clearer rules, digital records, and a powerful mandate to advance the circular economy in construction.

Why SWUK Matters: The Scale of the Problem

Every year, UK street works generate over 20 million tonnes of excavation waste. So, where does it all come from? The lion’s share is produced by utility companies during infrastructure upgrades, followed closely by local authorities and highways agencies.

It’s not just mud and rubble. This waste stream is a complex mix of:

• Excavated natural material (clays, sands, gravels)
• Surplus sub-base, concrete, or asphalt
• Contaminated spoil from legacy infrastructure
• Reinstatement waste (cuttings, offcuts, and unused product)
• Packaging from new materials and fittings

Historically, most of this has been sent to landfill or used in low value backfill. SWUK is designed to change that by standardising classification and mandating digital tracking to encourage high-value reuse.

The Billion-Pound Circular Economy Opportunity

Construction, demolition, and excavation (CD&E) waste makes up a staggering 62% of all UK waste (DEFRA, 2022). Yet, a frustratingly small fraction of street works material is returned to high-value use.

SWUK’s digital-first approach makes it far easier to:

• Prove material quality and suitability for reuse with transparent data.
• Cut carbon emissions. Every tonne of recycled aggregate saves up to 14.5kg of CO₂e compared to primary materials (WRAP).
• Build local supply chains for construction materials, reducing reliance on quarries.

Tackling the Real-World Hurdles

Of course, simply wanting to recycle more isn’t enough. Contractors on the ground face real challenges that often make landfill the default option. Here’s how Nexus ReGen helps solve them:

The Problem: The Clock is Ticking. On tight schedules, tipping waste at the nearest landfill is often the fastest choice.

Our Solution: The Nexus ReGen platform lets you pre-plan material movements. Find a buyer or a new site for your surplus before the digger even starts, integrating reuse directly into your project plan.

The Problem: The “Clean Soil” Dilemma. Contractors need absolute confidence in the materials they use, and anything labelled “waste” carries a stigma, regardless of its technical quality.

Our Solution: SWUK’s digital records, combined with our marketplace’s transparent listings and AI capabilities, provide the clear, auditable provenance needed to build trust and specify reused materials with confidence.

The Problem: The Black Box of Subcontracting. When you hand off waste disposal to a third party, you often lose visibility, control, and certainty about where it ends up.

Our Solution: Our platform creates a clear, digital chain of custody. From source to destination, you get a full digital trail, ensuring compliance and peace of mind.

Get Your Projects SWUK-Ready with Nexus ReGen

Street Works Waste Classification is more than a regulatory headache – it’s a catalyst for smarter, more profitable, and genuinely sustainable construction.

At Nexus ReGen, we’re already helping our partners prepare. Our platform is designed to:

Digitise Your Compliance: All your SWUK data and compliance documents in one secure, digital space.

Turn Waste into Worth: Our marketplace connects your surplus materials with local buyers, turning a liability into a revenue stream.

Find a Home: Pre-plan your reuse strategy, reduce haulage, and boost your project’s sustainability credentials from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions about SWUK

Q: What is the SWUK regulation?
A: The Streetworks Waste Classification (SWUK) is a new UK-wide standard for classifying, recording, and managing waste from street works and utility excavations, effective from October 2025.

Q: How does SWUK support the circular economy?
A: By making it easier to track, classify, and reuse excavated materials, SWUK will divert waste from landfill and encourage recycling in construction projects.

Q: Who needs to comply with SWUK?
A: All contractors, local authorities, and utilities involved in street works and road excavations will need to follow the new SWUK guidelines.

Q: How can I get ready for SWUK?
A: Start by reviewing your digital record-keeping, training staff on new classification rules, and seeking partners focused on material reuse and sustainability.