Building and demolition trash is a significant contributor to landfill waste. Some construction companies have a trash disposal strategy in place that complies with waste disposal standards. Some, however, do not. Instead, they take the easy route and dump them in a landfill, which is not ideal given the scarcity of landfills nowadays.
Isn’t it treacherous? If you’re still planning a construction or demolition project, or if you want to make a difference for future projects, here are the usual waste items you’ll find on construction sites and five sustainable ways to dispose of your building and demolition debris.
Common Material Wastes in Construction Projects
Rubble & Concrete
Concrete and mixed rubble is often produced during building construction and demolition. Infrastructure has been built to prevent concrete and mixed debris from ending up deposited in landfills. This sort of garbage can be recycled anywhere, depending on the removal alternatives accessible in your location.
Wood material
Wooden waste is biodegradable, so it can be easily disposed of by composting. If the wood is still in good condition, you can also donate or sell them to individuals or businesses who need them.
Metals
Metals are one of the most common materials you’ll see on construction sites. They are very versatile and can be recycled many times over. The recycling process of metals also conserves energy and natural resources.
Glass
Glass is another material that can be recycled infinitely. It can be used to create new products such as window panes, drinking glasses, and others.
Drywall and Insulation
Drywall and insulation are made of gypsum, which is a soft sulphate mineral composed of calcium sulphate dihydrate. It can be recycled into new products such as fertilizers and soil amendments.
As you can see, there are many eco-friendly ways to dispose of construction waste. Below we’ll discuss some environmentally-sound strategies you can adopt to dispose of construction waste properly.
5 Sustainable Methods of Disposing Waste
1. Sort and Salvage
The first thing you need to do is sort the waste into different types—metals, plastics, glass, paper, and wood. These can be recycled easily. You can also donate the salvageable materials to local charities or organizations.
2. Minimizing Construction Waste From the Onset
This is perhaps the best way to go about it. How? By preventing waste from being generated in the first place. For example, using construction planning software to help you plan and manage your construction project better will result in lesser material waste and, ultimately, cost savings.
3. Recycle
After you have sorted and salvaged what can be saved, the next step is to recycle the remaining waste. Construction and demolition debris account for about 33% of all materials sent to landfills each year, so recycling them would definitely make a huge difference.
4. Reuse The Material For A Different Project
If some of the construction materials are still in good condition, you can reuse them for your next project instead of disposal. For example, bricks, tiles, and lumber can be used again.
5. Hire a Professional Waste Disposal Service
There are many professional waste disposal services that you can hire to help you with the proper disposal of your construction waste. They have the experience and the knowledge on how to get rid of the waste properly without harming the environment.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can be assured that you are doing your part in taking care of the environment while disposing of your construction waste properly.
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