Construction waste is a major problem that is caused by many factors. It can be a result of poor planning, ordering too much material or even mistakes made by workers.
Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce construction waste. One way is to use reusable building materials, like copper.
Materials Selection
The choice of building materials is a crucial factor in construction waste reduction. Choosing sustainable, durable, and recyclable materials reduces maintenance costs over time and the need for replacements. Additionally, high-quality materials are more likely to meet sustainability standards, such as fire resistance and acoustic properties.
Different types of buildings require different building materials based on the intended purpose and function. For example, large industrial facilities or tall structures require load-bearing materials. Steel is an excellent option because it can withstand large amounts of stress and also has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for the structural frame of a building.
The durability and longevity of a material can also influence its cost. Cheaper materials may seem appealing at first, but their lack of quality can lead to higher maintenance and repair costs over time. It is important to strike a balance between initial economics and long-term costs when selecting building materials.
The environmental impact of a building’s materials can be determined by conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA involves assessing a building’s environmental impacts over its entire lifespan, including its design and construction, use, maintenance, and eventual deconstruction and disposal. The results of an LCA can help project teams prioritize materials with lower environmental footprints and identify opportunities for improved construction waste reduction practices.
Materials Preparation
The preparation of materials before their use is essential when it comes to cutting construction waste. This includes separating the reusable and recyclable materials from the disposable waste and delegating one person to be responsible for all aspects of waste management. This can be achieved by setting up a space on the construction site dedicated to the different types of reusable material and creating separate dumpsters for each. In addition, all reusable bricks should be cleaned and stacked and unused timber de-nailed and stored.
It’s also important to accurately order your materials so that you receive them when you need them and are not left with surplus materials on site. Inaccurate orders can lead to project delays and result in cost inflation. Furthermore, incorrect materials may not be suitable for your project requirements and/or code or could result in contract penalties.
A major problem is that many construction professionals still consider C&D waste as a waste and do not view it as a resource. It is therefore imperative that they change their perceptions and embrace newer technologies, for example, recycled construction materials. This will help to minimize waste and reduce GHG emissions. Moreover, it will also increase the longevity of landfill sites and thus reduce pollution to natural waterways and ecosystems. Furthermore, it will contribute to the development of a circular economy in construction.
Materials Transportation
During the construction process, building materials need to be transported from the manufacturer or supplier to the jobsite. Many of these materials are oversized compared to other varieties of freight, making them difficult and expensive to transport. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce transportation costs and make the transportation of construction materials more environmentally friendly.
One way is to work with suppliers who share your sustainability goals. This can help you create less waste in the form of packaging and containers. Another is to use bulk quantities instead of individual containers. This also cuts down on the number of trips necessary for the transport of materials. Finally, you can also reduce the amount of material wasted by using returnable containers and pallets.
A third option is to take steps to reduce the generation of C&D materials in the first place. This is known as source reduction and includes actions like preserving existing buildings; optimizing the size of new buildings; designing new buildings for adaptability and reusability; employing alternative framing techniques; and practicing selective demolition.
According to EPA’s Advancing Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Report, 136 million tons of C&D materials were generated in 1996 and 2003. These include materials from the construction, renovation and demolition of buildings and civil-engineering structures. These can be used to build new structures or recycled for other uses such as fuel, manufactured products, aggregate, compost and mulch, and soil amendments.
Materials Installation
Construction waste management is one of the key components to reducing the negative impact that construction has on the environment. Waste accumulation during construction projects can result in environmental degradation, financial losses, and health hazards for workers. Poor waste minimization practices also increase project costs, which is why it’s important for construction companies to implement effective strategies to optimize material usage and minimize construction waste.
A primary strategy to reduce construction waste is through source reduction, which focuses on preventing waste from being generated in the first place. This includes preserving existing buildings rather than constructing new ones, designing building projects for adaptability and longevity to prolong their life span, using alternative framing techniques, and using durable materials that require little maintenance.
Another way to reduce construction waste is through recycling, which repurposes and reuses building materials. This can be done by separating wastes according to type and using them for different purposes. For example, wood waste can be used as mulch or recycled into building materials that will have a high recycled content. Concrete can be crushed and screened to make aggregates. Metals can be separated from the rest of the waste and used in other industrial processes to produce valuable metal products.
Other effective waste minimization methods include accurately estimating the required quantity of materials for a construction project and using standardized sizes when possible. This helps avoid overordering and wasting materials, which is especially prevalent in the case of lumber. Additionally, implementing a separate space on a construction site to collect reusable, recyclable, and other types of materials will help to decrease the amount of waste that is sent to landfills.