In a world increasingly challenged by environmental concerns, the importance of sustainable waste management has reached an all-time high. The construction industry contributes to around 23% of all air pollution, 40% of water pollution, and 50% of landfill waste. Additionally it is responsible for utilizing many of the world’s natural resources – which includes 40% of all raw stones, gravel, and sand, and around a quarter of all new wood produced every year.
The construction industry’s waste creates a huge environmental impact. The majority of construction waste isn’t biodegradable; therefore, it can take hundreds of years to break down in a landfill. And a lot of it classes as hazardous waste that may give off toxic elements into nearby water, ground, and air if it ends up in a landfill site.
How Much Does Construction Contribute to Waste?
Construction activities are responsible for a sizable portion of global waste generation. According to findings, more than 75% of all construction waste ends up in landfills. This often includes materials such as concrete, metals, wood, plastics, and packaging.
The sheer volume of waste emphasizes the absolute importance of implementing an efficient waste management strategy to decrease landfill usage, conserve resources, and promote sustainability.
Reduced Landfill Sites and Less Pollution
Landfill sites are common grounds to dump construction waste, but all this piled-up waste creates water pollution, air pollution, and dreadful smells that impact communities. Reducing your construction waste will decrease the number of materials heading to these landfills that directly pollute our atmosphere.
As mentioned, construction waste contributes to three types of pollution: air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution. All three have been known to have a negative impact on people’s health and wellbeing, so by reducing construction waste it will alleviate all three types. Construction sites carry large quantities of dust, over time this can cause illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and even cancer, as these dust particles can get deep into our lungs.
Lower the Impact of Climate Change
If we reduced landfills and emissions caused by construction waste, the climate will improve dramatically. We should see improved agriculture and freshwater locations, less natural disasters and endangered species and other wildlife protected from harmful elements.
In Line with Legislative Requirements
Many laws govern how we manage, treat and dispose of waste, all to protect us and the environment. For example, under the Environmental Protection Act, it is an crime to treat, keep or dispose of controlled waste that could cause environmental pollution or harm human health. And for breaking laws like this, the courts can issue fixed penalty notices, forced cessation of business activities, or in severe cases, prison sentences. So it is certainly not worth the risk.
Improved Worker Safety
Safer work environments are created when proper waste management practices are in place. Construction sites can be hazardous, and poorly managed waste increases the risk of accidents, injuries, and health hazards for workers. Therefore, by implementing safe handling, storage, and disposal of waste reduces these risks, promoting a safer workplace.
Saving Money
We all like saving money, right? Having an effective plan to alleviate waste will benefit the company’s budget. Fewer landfill trips and ordering the correct amount of materials will reduce transport costs, fuel costs and prevent over-ordering.
How to Manage Construction Waste
Managing waste in the construction industry effectively decreases the amount you send to landfill. What you do before, during, and after a construction project can impact the waste, you generate and what happens to it. There are a few solutions you can take to manage your construction waste properly:
Plan carefully – all construction sites require a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) in place before the project can starts. This needs to detail exactly where the waste will be produced, an estimation of how much, its type, bin and containers required for storage, and the disposal method. It also must mention who is liable for removing waste from the site which must be a licensed waste carrier.
Reuse materials – although this seems pretty evident, where possible aim to reuse any waste material. By store safely any timber, bricks, and other leftover materials you can utilise those in other projects. Even if some are damaged, pieces could be used for different purposes.
Deconstruct don’t demolish – deconstructing a building or project is much better for the environment compared to demolition. It also ensures a soft tear down and removal of materials to then reuse, which again reduces construction waste. Deconstruction releases fewer toxic dust and heavy metals compared to demolition too.
Recycle construction waste – any waste that cannot be reused or donate should ideally be sent for recycling where possible. Having recycling containers readily available on-site helps separate recyclable construction waste with ease. Making it easier further down the line.
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