Choosing sustainable materials, ordering the right sizes and taking advantage of prefabricated components are some of the best ways to reduce waste before it hits the ground. Regular communication with contractors and suppliers is also key.
Placing recycling bins on job sites helps workers sort materials as they go and avoid tossing reusable material into the dumpster.
Wood
Wood is one of the main building materials, with its use spanning across several construction types. It is a renewable resource and can be used as a replacement for other materials like metals, cement, or stone. It also has a high insulation value, which can significantly reduce energy costs. In addition to these benefits, recycled wood can be used for construction without compromising structural integrity.
Wood waste can be recycled from CDWW through several different processes, such as mechanical granulation, wood chippings, or cellulose. It can then be re-used in building construction or used as feedstock for other products such as landscaping mulch, animal bedding, boiler fuel, press wood pallets, fibers for composite board products, or oriented strand board (OSB).
The main challenge with CDWW is the fact that it often contains a mix of different types of material. This makes it harder to sort and separate wood from the rest of the waste. However, selective demolition through the stepping out process can help with this issue.
Other building materials can be made from recycled wastes, such as quarry wastes or ash from slag furnaces, or even vegetal fibres that are regenerated from plant matter. These materials can work as insulators, or be mixed with concrete to make it stronger and more durable. They can also be sourced from local or regional suppliers, which helps decrease the environmental impact of transportation and processing.
Stone
Stone is a durable, impressive material that offers homes a unique look. It also stands up to a lot of weight and resists deformation, but it’s expensive, challenging to work with, and requires specialized equipment and expertise to quarry, move and cut precisely. That’s why it’s typically used as a decorative element in modern home construction.
Concrete is another heavy, but extremely useful building material. It’s incredibly sturdy, and it can withstand just about any weather condition. Concrete is often poured in place, but it can be prefabricated and delivered to a job site quickly, making it an ideal choice for fast-track construction projects.
Steel has been a reliable and versatile building material since its introduction during the Industrial Revolution. It has excellent strength-to-weight and strength-to-size ratios, making it the perfect choice for beams and other structural elements of a house. It’s also less time-consuming to install than concrete and is fire-resistant.
Laminated wood is a more sustainable alternative to lumber for framing, and it can reduce waste and unethical deforestation practices. It’s becoming increasingly popular for use in the foundation of homes, as well as for joists and floor trusses. It’s also an excellent material for insulation and comes in a variety of colors and shapes. Other sustainable building materials include bamboo and cellulose fiber panels, which can be used for wall insulation, flooring and even kitchen cabinets.
Concrete
Concrete is a common construction material that is used in many different ways. It is a mixture of aggregates that are bonded together with a fluid cement. It is a durable building material that resists damage from water, freezing temperatures, deicing chemicals and termites. It is also resistant to fire, which makes it a safer choice for homes. Concrete can be made in various shapes, sizes and designs to meet specific needs.
Several types of admixtures can be added to the concrete mix to improve its performance or reduce its environmental impact. Some admixtures add strength, while others can help delay the set time or allow for special finishing operations. Others have insulating properties, which can save energy. Concrete can be made using recycled materials. Some methods can produce lighter weight concrete, which is less expensive and has lower embodied energy than traditional concrete.
Waste from construction and demolition is often disposed of in landfills, which can be environmentally harmful. However, a large portion of this waste is valuable and could be reused in the construction process. For example, wood waste in the form of ash can be used as coarse or fine aggregate for concrete. This can reduce the need for mining and transportation of raw materials, and it can also help to decrease the amount of landfill waste generated by the construction industry.
Steel
Steel is an essential engineering material, produced in various shapes, sizes and forms for a wide range of uses. Its flexibility allows architects to realize their boldest ideas and create buildings that are a sculptural delight, while providing high structural strength. It is a versatile construction material that allows for easy modification of internal space and efficient integration of utilities.
In addition, steel is the most recycled material on earth, making it a sustainable choice for building projects. It is also easy to prefabricate and transport, and assemble on site with bolted connections. This reduces labor and construction time and cost, as well as the need for onsite storage of materials. This makes it much easier to build green and keep a project on schedule.
It is also possible to minimize waste from steel construction by utilizing standard sizes and shapes, minimizing cutting and special fittings. This helps to ensure the highest quality of components and prevents wasted material. Adhesives are also avoided, since they require containers and generate waste, and inhibit salvage and recycling at the end of a building’s life.