When buildings and civil-engineered structures are built, renovated, or torn down, the result is a lot of construction and demolition (C&D) debris So, how can we reduce construction waste? Follow these construction waste disposal techniques to prevent reusable materials from ending up in the landfill.
Plan Ahead to Waste Less on Your Work Site
As a project manager, you’re tasked with developing a plan before starting into the job. When the project is organized properly, fewer mistakes are made which results in less waste on your construction site.
- calculate exactly so you have the right amount of each material.
- Conduct regular inventory checks so you know what you have and what you need.
- Have reuse and recycle bins on site. Make sure all workers know how to sort the waste as it is created.
Opt for Deconstruction Before Demolition
A “soft” tear down rather than a full demolition will allow you and your team to salvage materials for reuse, thereby reducing waste in construction. Materials like windows, plumbing fixtures, ceiling, and floor tiles, and large pieces of lumber can be sold to salvages.
Reuse or Donate Materials in Good Condition
Before tossing all of your debris in a construction dumpster to be sent to a landfill, try giving these materials new life by reusing or donating them.
Reuse What You Can
- Store substances in good condition and use them in another area of the job or another project.
- Consult your reuse pile before making more waste.
- Scraped wood can be chipped and used as mulch as long as it’s not stained or painted.
Donate to Local Organisations
- Doors, hardware, appliances, and fixtures can be donated to places like Habitat for Humanity ReStores.
- Look to see if there are any charity projects where your extra materials can be donated.
Recycle What Cannot Be Reused
Implement a policy to recycle construction waste. Having a recycle bin for workers to toss materials will help you reduce the number of items you toss in your dumpster and reduce the waste your team creates. Items being replaced on a project, like sinks, baths, and countertops, can be placed in the recycle bin. The following items can also be recycled:
- Metal
- Cardboard
- Paper
- Plastics
- Untreated wood
- Concrete
- Gravel
- Drywall
- Asphalt
- Window glass
- Carpeting
- Brick
- Roofing
Rent a Dumpster for the Rest
As hard as you may try to reduce waste on your construction site, there is no way you can completely avoid it. For all the things you can’t reuse, donate, or recycle, a roll-off dumpster is the most efficient disposal option, saving you from wasting valuable time and labor.
Why Bother Reducing Construction Waste?
The bottom line – the less you have to throw away, the less money you have to spend getting rid of your waste. When you create a plan to reduce waste on your construction site, the environment, your community and you win.
