3 Waste Management Tips For Construction Sites
Over the years, there has been increased interest in sustainable building and reducing building costs. One vital way the construction industry does this is through effective waste management. Statistics indicate that 100 million tonnes of waste are produced annually at building sites, making this worth the discussion. The construction sector remains the largest consumer of natural resources in the UK, and it is understandable why the country demands more from them. Here are some ideas to consider.
- Reuse non-hazardous materials
While there has been a major improvement in how the UK handles construction waste, experts say more can be done in the area. According to data, five million tonnes of construction waste are still unmanaged and discarded at landfill sites annually. Fortunately, reusing materials at construction sites has been quite impressive since 2017.
Biffa.co.uk reports high demand for reusable construction materials, which has helped reduce wastage at the sites. Due to the good market value of reusable non-hazardous construction materials, developers are happy to hand them over to salvage yards. In some instances, these materials are reused at the site, ultimately reducing cost. So far, UK construction reports indicate that 70% of these materials are reused, sparing landfill sites the burden.
- Using crushers at construction sites
Usually, during renovations or complete demolitions, large rocks, stones, and bricks are left behind. These contributed to heaps of construction waste dumped yearly at landfill sites. However, the story seems to have shifted significantly with the introduction of crushers. These heavy-duty machines played a great role in reducing large rocks into gravel or sand.
The end product is then remixed into a new concrete mixture and used. Fortunately, even small construction sites can have access to these machines. There are mini concrete crushers that do the same job and subsequently help reduce waste at construction sites. As a developer or builder, this equipment would be very helpful.
- Deconstruction methods
Have you ever been to a demolition site? There are arguments about the total waste of resources when materials could be used better. This is where deconstruction methods, also described as careful demolition methods, come into the picture. This involves disassembling a building and cautiously taking the structure apart by removing its reusable materials. For example, the roofing, windows, doors, siding, framing, etc., can all be disassembled before the real demolition occurs.
The selective dismantlement of components helps developers reduce the wastage that would have occurred. Moreover, it allows builders to appreciate sustainable building methods. Reserving these resources can offer great employment opportunities for people interested in building construction. In other words, it can become a full-fledged business for those who intend to operate salvage yards.
With the construction industry described as the biggest consumer of raw materials, there is a huge responsibility to manage waste effectively. Hopefully, it will greatly impact the UK’s construction sector and enhance waste management skills in a few years. It is a step in the right direction towards reducing how much water the world produces.
