To address the needs of a growing global population, the construction and demolition (C&D) industry is constantly advancing. From residential to commercial projects, the expansion of infrastructure seems never-ending across the globe.
This relentless growth, however, produces a large amount of waste. While some waste is inevitable, there are many strategies to reduce the substantial volumes generated annually. Below, we’ll explore several tactics that C&D companies, regardless of size, can use to cut down on waste and protect the environment.
Before we delve into waste reduction strategies, it’s important to understand the main causes of C&D waste. One significant factor is the lack of waste-reduction considerations during the design phase by architects. Other major contributors include design flaws or modifications, improper material handling and storage, poor site management, inefficient processing of materials, and inadequate knowledge of local recycling and disposal regulations.
Given these various causes and the inherent nature of construction and demolition, it’s easy to see why waste builds up so quickly. Fortunately, there are strategies that can be employed throughout a project’s lifecycle to mitigate this. For instance, creating a comprehensive recycling and waste disposal plan at the beginning of a project is essential. This plan should take into account the materials to be used, the project’s scale, and the available local disposal options.
The plan should also include effective waste minimization and proper disposal techniques. This could involve hiring specialized waste and recycling services, using roll-off dumpsters specifically for C&D waste, or compacting waste with construction-grade compactors.
Another key strategy is to choose deconstruction over traditional demolition. This approach minimizes construction waste by allowing for the careful dismantling and reuse of materials. It conserves resources and is also environmentally friendly, emitting fewer toxic substances than conventional demolition methods.
These are just a few of the waste reduction strategies that C&D organizations should consider. For more in-depth information, please refer to the resource provided.
Reducing Waste At A Job Site was provided by Sourgum Waste
