
How to Deal With Construction Waste
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When it comes to the disposal of construction waste, there are a number of options. Some of these options include Site separation and recycling, while others require hazardous materials to be disposed of in a different way. Other options include buying materials back or delivering them on returnable pallets. As waste generated during construction is harmful to the environment and your company's bottom line, these options can help you reduce your construction waste while maintaining a high standard of quality.
Recycling
During the construction process, different materials are generated, including concrete, bricks, rubble, asphalt, bamboo timber, and metals. These materials can be recycled into new materials that are both environmentally friendly and useful. Construction waste is considered as a major cost of doing business, but it can actually benefit a construction company in many ways. Recycling construction waste is an excellent way to save on landfill space and keep your company's bottom line healthy.
In addition to helping the environment, recycling construction waste also saves on energy. The energy equivalent of recycling all concrete and asphalt waste would be saved if it were to be burned in a coal-fired power plant. Additionally, the amount of waste that will end up in landfills is minimized, reducing toxic waste buildup in the environment. To help make recycling construction waste as easy as possible, you can also use the resources that your local government has available.
Site separation
While it is possible to recycle some of the construction waste, recycling that requires reprocessing isn't always economically viable. Thankfully, many materials are recyclable and can be donated to non-profit organizations, helping keep the construction waste out of landfills. While site separation requires extra time and training of construction workers, it can be a low-cost solution for a responsible job site. Here are some ways to get started:
When determining how much construction waste your company generates, it's important to separate the stream from the other waste. Materials that can easily be damaged or contaminated, like carpet or ceiling tile, should be separated from those that can't. Additionally, contractors should limit the amount of packaging and ongoing waste creation on the site. The final goal is to minimize waste generated by workers. In addition to reducing construction waste, proper separation also reduces costs.
Hazardous materials
While most construction waste is inert and does not pose a risk to the environment, small amounts of hazardous materials can have a negative impact. Companies should separate this type of waste before disposing of it. Otherwise, they could be subject to prosecution by the Environment Agency. Here are some tips to manage construction waste responsibly. Before you get started, take a look at the EPA's flowchart. You can easily identify construction waste by its material.
Hazardous construction waste should be separated from non-hazardous waste to avoid legal issues. Failure to do this can increase the costs involved and cause health and safety hazards for workers. Additionally, incorrectly disposing of waste can lead to hefty fines. So, it's vital for workers to know how to dispose of this waste. Hazardous waste contains materials that can ignite, create fires, or corrode steel.
Cost of disposal
When you're planning a construction project, you should factor in the cost of disposal. Construction waste costs more to dispose than most other types of waste. On average, around 30 percent of the building materials used in a construction project end up as waste, with 75 percent ending up in landfills. Common types of construction waste include wood, bricks, drywall, and plastics, while concrete and asphalt concrete make up 85 percent of C&D waste in the U.S.
Waste management at the project level can be planned in advance, which can reduce the overall cost and environmental impact of disposal. Organizational green building practices often include the management of wastes at the project level. These efforts are communicated through corporate reports, policy statements, and work plans. In addition, performance against corporate goals is increasingly recognized in industry programs that recognize corporate green building practices. In addition, organizations can work with vendors who handle the final disposal of construction waste to achieve more environmentally responsible construction projects.

