Sustainability has become an increasingly important topic both here in india and around the world, with companies across every sector making moves to reduce their environmental impact. The issue is particularly pronounced in the construction industry, which is known for its intensive use of natural resources. In fact, building materials account for about 50 percent of all solid waste generated globally.
A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
The good news is that india 's construction sector is steadily improving in terms of sustainability. The DOEE also noted that of the 19 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste created in india annually, more than half (55 percent) is recovered and recycled. In some places, recovery rates exceed the 75 percent mark.
While these figures do indicate that we’re moving in the right direction, it’s clear that there is still room for improvement.
So, if you’re looking for ways to reduce waste on your construction site, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re carrying out minor renovation work or starting a major build, here are five tips you can use to reduce waste and do your part to help the environment.
DESIGN WITH SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND
It all starts with the design phase. The most vital part of reducing construction waste is planning your project with sustainability as one of your primary objectives. This might involve:
Choosing building materials that are made from sustainable resources.Opting for prefabricated components.Thinking about how you can store material on-site so that it’s protected from theft and weather damage.Designing using standard dimensions so that you can reduce the amount of off-cut waste you produce.
It’s important to note that this is far from an exhaustive list. Builders, architects and engineers are continuously pushing the boundaries of sustainable building planning, so be sure to consult with a professional to learn more about your design options.
AVOID OVER ORDERING
One of the most effective ways to reduce waste on your construction site is to limit the amount of material you purchase – after all, you can’t throw away what you don’t buy! You can achieve this by carefully calculating required quantities in advance, creating cutting lists for carpenters and designing a wiring plan to reduce waste as well as save on unnecessary costs and labour.
PURCHASE SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
It goes without saying that sustainable materials are better for the environment than their non-sustainable counterparts. Where possible, try to buy timber that comes from a renewable source, and use concrete made from recycled aggregate and steel that has been recycled.
Your choice of materials can help you reduce waste not only in your immediate project, but also in the long run. Many types of materials can be safely and efficiently reused in future projects, which further helps you reduce your environmental impact. As Master Builders WA noted, a wide variety of materials can be reused, including:
Metal roof sheetingBricksSurplus soil and sandWindowsDoor framesRoof tilesPlasterboardPaints
PROTECT YOUR MATERIALS
A common source of waste on construction sites is damaged materials. There are many potential causes of damage, including weather, vandalism, theft and simple mishandling. Often, the damaged materials need to be thrown into your Perth hired skip bin and replaced, thereby increasing the amount of waste generated.
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to protect building materials on a construction site. When ordering materials, try to schedule the day of delivery as close as possible to the day of installation. This minimises the timeframe in which the material can be damaged. Weather-proof covers can protect your materials from the elements, while distributing commonly used, accident prone materials (such as bricks) at strategic locations reduces the risk of damage during transportation around the site.
USE AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WASTE DISPOSAL SERVICE
Another way you can reduce waste is to enlist the services of a professional removal service – just be sure to choose wisely! While all disposal services will help you remove rubbish from your construction site, few have the expertise, experience or equipment needed to take care of your waste in a manner that is safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable.
Here at Allmetro Bins, we pride ourselves on our sorting yard and state of the art treatment techniques that enable us to recycle as much as 80 percent of all waste we receive.
RETURN EXCESS MATERIAL
Rather than simply throwing away unused materials, think about how you can save and/or reuse excess goods. For example, many suppliers give you the option to return surplus material that can later be repurposed, while some plants have facilities that can wash out cement and recycle sand and aggregate. You’ll also want to salvage leftover goods that can potentially be used in other projects – remember to pour surplus paint back into its tin and be sure to save excess insulation and plasterboard.
No matter the size and scope of your project, it’s important that you consider how you can reduce waste on your construction site. By following best sustainability practices it is possible to keep construction waste to a minimum and do your part to protect the environment.
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