Construction companies have often demolished structures and dumped tons of waste into landfills to rot. Although it may streamline projects and make your job a little easier, this method is irresponsible – especially with the increased demand for sustainability.
So how do you deal with construction site waste in a way that doesn’t steal your time and money? There are plenty of ways, and they’ll make you more money in the long run. Additionally, your company will build a positive reputation and stand out against the competition if you prove you care about the environment.
The Problem with Landfills
First of all, landfills are disgusting and terrible for the planet. The more waste that gets thrown away there, the bigger they grow. The sad thing is that so many reusable and recyclable materials end up in landfills, stealing their potential for future use. Knowing how toxic they are, it is your environmental responsibility to decrease the amount of construction waste that ends up there from your projects.
Measure Carefully and Plan Properly
A lot of waste can come from unused supplies getting tossed out. If you want to reduce the garbage you throw away, take your measurements carefully, and don’t order more than you’ll use. However, if you’re going to have extra supplies on hand, don’t trash them at the end of a project. Instead, save any scraps and unused materials for later. Not only will you be making a more environmentally-conscious decision, but you’ll save money on future orders. If you are unable to use them for future projects, there are always places like Habitat for Humanity that accept leftover materials and scraps.
Deconstruct
Many construction companies like to demolish for the sake of ease and saving time. However, demolition releases harmful particles into the air and increases the amount of waste in landfills. When you deconstruct, you can save and sort through reusable and recyclable materials before you start trashing things. Besides, a distressed or aged look is in nowadays.
But don’t stop at deconstruction. If you don’t need all of the reusable materials you find, you can donate them to charities and get tax deductions for doing so. Or you can sell the supplies to other construction companies to increase your profits. Either way, you’re making money. First, however, remember that charity is a great way to boost your company’s reputation by showing you care about the community.
Recycle
Many materials can’t be reused for future projects, but some will still be recyclable – these materials are wood, metals, drywall, plastic, and glass. Additionally, consider contracting with a waste management company that simultaneously takes green waste and non-recyclable trash and stores each separately. That way you won’t have to pay two separate companies, and you can wrap up projects faster – two birds with one stone.
Dispose and Store Waste Properly
Leaving piles of rubble around the worksite presents a safety hazard and unnecessarily adds to the workload when you have to run around with a wheelbarrow collecting scraps at the end of the day. Additionally, rolling dumpsters can be annoying and inconvenient to unload. So you should consider only using them for garbage.
Instead, you should consider using self-dumping hoppers to keep the workspace clean on top of streamlining material disposal and storage. Using hoppers is far more convenient because you can quickly sort and transport reusable materials to their designated spaces.
Construction dumpster rentals offer a convenient and efficient solution for managing waste on construction sites. By providing a centralized location for workers to dispose of debris, these rentals contribute to a cleaner and safer work environment. The efficiency of the construction process is improved as workers can easily discard waste on-site, eliminating the need for time-consuming trips to off-site disposal locations.
Additionally, using dumpsters helps maintain safety by preventing hazards such as tripping over scattered debris. Compliance with local regulations is facilitated, ensuring construction projects adhere to waste disposal ordinances and environmental guidelines. Renting a construction dumpster is more cost-effective than alternative disposal methods, as it eliminates the need for multiple trips to landfills.
Various dumpster sizes allow for flexibility, enabling the selection of an appropriately sized container for the project’s scale. Many rental services prioritize environmental considerations by implementing recycling processes for construction waste. This minimizes the environmental impact and aligns with sustainable practices.
Packaging
The packaging that protects your supplies in transport is necessary, but some vendors tend to overdo it. Have you every gotten the classic Amazon box inside of a box shipped to you? Yeah, us too.
When ordering materials for your next project, consider asking the company to use less packaging to reduce waste. In addition, some businesses offer returnable boxes that they use again for other clients to be eco-friendly. Therefore, it may be best to work with sustainable suppliers in the future, so you have less garbage to handle in the long run.
Define your sustainability criteria, considering environmental impact, social responsibility, and economic viability. Identify specific criteria, such as eco-friendly materials, ethical labor practices, and adherence to environmental certifications—following, research potential suppliers by searching online, reviewing industry publications, and seeking recommendations. Look for suppliers with a reputation for sustainability and certifications like ISO 14001.
Benefits of Sustainable Construction
A lot of these disposal suggestions may add a small amount of work to your timeline, so you’re probably wondering what’s in it for you. First, by sustainably dealing with construction site waste, you’ll make and save more money. This is because prospective clients will want to work with companies that consider the Earth and its inhabitants. Plus, donating supplies to charity and recycling builds a positive reputation for your business, giving you a leg up against the competition.
Conclusion
Most construction companies produce an unsightly amount of waste and dealing with it can be expensive and annoying. In addition, when you demolish and dump into landfills, you’re polluting the air and land.
Conversely, when you choose a more eco-friendly approach to your work, you’ll be able to save on landfill costs and reduce your carbon footprint by keeping reusable supplies. To further do your part in saving the planet from climate change, you can recycle materials, such as unfinished wood – which can be used to make mulch. The possibilities are vast, and waste disposal doesn’t need to be a headache if you take the time to do it right.