Waste Reduction Tips: Construction Sites

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Waste Reduction Tips For Construction Sites

The construction industry generates a high volume of waste. Being a growing industry, this has called for more care and consideration in waste handling on construction sites- with processes starting as early as acquisition and project planning phases.

According to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the following conclusions can be made in regards to levels of resource recovery and what may discourage dumping of construction waste in landfills:

Recovery rates are higher in markets where demand for recycled construction and demolition materials are higher. So, the more people engage in environmentally conscious efforts, the better it is in reducing and reusing.
Significantly high landfill costs provide incentives for material separation and recycling. Increasing the rate of recyclables and decreasing the amount of unrecoverable waste are important for sustainability and environmental awareness.

With construction sites, steps for waste reduction lie in the following stages:

In the initial phase of planning, it is vital for project managers to focus on the reduction, and even elimination, of waste wherever possible. With these steps to minimising, so too is it important to inform personnel of the benefits in separating materials and importance of regulating waste collection by contractors.

In the subsequent phase of pre-construction, arises the vital role estimators and purchasers play. In this stage of the construction phase, and in line with the global recycling philosophy of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” the following tips should be taken into account:

Exact requirements should be specified to avoid over-consumption and therefore excess waste that could have been avoided if accurately estimated- or appraised to the best of the ability.
Sustainable materials such as recycled goods could be a great way to make an environmentally-conscious decision. Going back to our earlier point of higher demand for recycled goods means higher rates of resource recovery- this is beneficial for eco-friendliness.
Build with deconstruction in mind. Planning for the future is important in construction and forthcoming redevelopment. By considering deconstruction, steps to ensure minimal waste is generated and the materials can be reused are factored into the planning for future.

Off and on-site activities, as undertaken by developers/builders and sub-contractors, account for a large proportion of where waste reduction can take place.

Below are our most effective tips for the following categories:

Delivery and Storage

Request delivery of goods as they are needed to avoid certain materials being exposed to unfavourable conditions such as moisture which may affect their livelihood

Protect all materials from weather damage- from extreme heat to severe storms

Supply Packaging

Packaging from building supplies such as fixtures or appliances should be efficiently sorted and separated. This includes materials such as cardboard and plastic.

Material Separation

Arrange a custom waste management plan to effectively handle disposal of waste. This includes having separate bins on-site, with frequent drop-off/ collection/ changeover processes in store

For all types of construction sites, fast and dependable waste management companies must be entrusted to ensure sustainable waste management methods are in practice and waste is carefully disposed of.

At Bingo Industries, we gladly:
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