Waste is a necessary by-product of any construction project, be it a large commercial build or much smaller domestic extension.
Disposing of that waste in a responsible and efficient manner is crucial, not only for the reputation of those working on the project, but also for the future of the planet.
Modern day waste management follows a five-step approach, with each stage of the process designed to give constructors and other waste generators an opportunity to reduce their reliance on landfills.
Let’s take a look at each of the 5 approaches. It’s important to note that the order of the steps has an important role to play in the effectiveness of the waste management process.
Prevention is better than cure, so the saying goes. And the point of this first approach is to get businesses thinking about ways they can prevent waste being generated in the first place.
Refusals can take many forms. For example, construction site managers can make it clear from the start of a project that teams cannot use single-use plastic water bottles or plastic straws on site.
On a larger level, procurement teams can look closely at the packaging of goods that are delivered to a site by suppliers. Many of these will likely arrive with polystyrene, bubble wrap or other plastic elements included. Can these be removed entirely or at least reduced and still see the goods get to the site safely, perhaps arriving in reusable containers?
Bring strict about this first approach will make the rest of the waste management process easier for everyone, as the fewer unnecessary materials there are to dispose of, the easier the task of meeting a project’s sustainability or eco-friendly targets.
Of course, you cannot refuse every item that’s going to generate waste during a construction project. That’s when the focus turns to reducing waste.
Plastic and paper usage can be reduced in site offices fairly simply and directly, giving you an easy way to scale down the environmental footprint of your project.
A single use plastic ban, and a focus on sending messages and documents digitally rather than using hard copies are good ways you can generate less wastage. You can also insist that the packaging in which items arrive at your site contains minimal, or preferably no plastic.
It’s also vital to share with employees and suppliers your commitment to environmental friendliness, and the circular economy – something that drives everything we do here at SRC Group.
Sending regular emails setting out the importance you attach to sustainability matters is a good way to keep the issue front of mind, and to make your team and contacts aware of your expectations and where your priorities lie in terms of waste management.
A great way to stop potential waste ever needing to reach landfill is to use an item and keep using it until it is no longer safe to do so.
Construction-wise, it’s obviously not possible to do this with everything, especially items that have been contaminated and can’t be decontaminated. But there will be items that, with a quick clean, can be safely used multiple times.
These include boxes and other packaging that hasn’t been damaged, as well as doors and staircases. Some electrical and plumbing fittings can also be reused in other projects, assuming they are in a good condition.
Taking this approach will have the knock-on benefit of reducing your need to purchase new items, helping you make significant bottom line savings.
Repurposing (or upcycling as it’s often called) is a key feature of the circular economy. It involves salvaging items that would otherwise be thrown away and putting them to a different use.
For example, unwanted concrete and bricks can be crushed and become recycled aggregate. Glass can be melted down and reformed to create new products.
Furniture restorers, artists and other creatives could also find a use for items that you no longer need, saving them from landfill. It’s a good idea to maintain regular contact with individuals and businesses who are interested in upcycling.
You never know what they might be looking for, and they could take an item off your hands that you would otherwise have to pay to dispose of.
Any waste material that remains after taking the first four approaches could be suitable for recycling – things like paper, plastics, metals, textiles and some electrical items.
Getting goods ready for recycling needn’t be a time-consuming task, especially if you place recycling bins across your site that are clearly labelled with details of the items that can go in the bin.
Making your team aware of the importance of recycling is as important as making it as easy as possible for your people to recycle. Both are key to increasing employee involvement and uptake in recycling initiatives.
So, for example, consider putting up recycling related posters around your site, and ensure food recycle bins are near places where people eat.
SRC Group is committed to promoting the virtues and benefits of the circular economy within the construction industry.
We have a vast network of recycling depots and landfill sites across Essex that enable us to provide a fully licensed waste removal service to customers in Southeastern England and across London.
If you need to use our waste management expertise just once or on an ongoing basis, we’re here to provide friendly and professional muckaway services. And we have the largest fleet of waste removal lorries in our region at our disposal!
Reach out to the SRC Group today to find out more about our services, including waste management and muckaway. You can call us on 0208 594 0169, email us at enquiries@www.srcgroup.co.uk or fill out our contact form here.
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