There’s no dancing around it; construction is a significant source of waste in this country. While construction projects move society forward, they are known for producing waste material and carbon dioxide. Building components such as insulation, nails, shingles, and wiring can be challenging to dispose of as they sometimes contain hazardous substances such as lead or asbestos. Construction debris in Croydon can pose a real danger to the environment, but it can be mitigated by proper on-site management of hazardous or reusable materials.
Much of the construction waste in the United States comes from common building materials such as bricks, wood, or concrete that have been damaged or deemed unusable. The percentage of material that winds up unused on a construction site can vary massively depending on the type of work and the materials used. While it can make material waste challenging to track in some cases, this variability creates a lot of opportunities for homeowners and project managers to reduce the amount of waste created.
If you are planning a major renovation and would like to minimize the amount of material waste created by the project, consider the following essential questions:
Depending on where your project is being carried out, different materials may or may not be eligible for recycling. Generally, most construction material can be successfully recovered if the right recycling equipment is used. Machines such as compactors, shredders, and balers can repurpose scraps or pieces of raw material like brick, wood, and concrete. Scrap material can be used in other projects, and extra packaging material can sometimes be sent back to its manufacturer for recycling and eventual reuse.
Some construction material contains harmful substances like lead and hydrogen sulfide, which can taint local water supplies in high enough quantities. When it’s possible, repurposing extra material can help keep hazardous substances out of landfills. Before starting any project, be aware of state and local recycling laws and how they apply to you.
If you are looking to maximize the amount of material that can be easily reused, make sure your building specs conform to standard measurements. Reusing more material is possible when you don’t have to spend as much time recutting or retrofitting older materials. When feasible, all framing layouts should be planned using standard wood lengths. Using standard dimensions will save you time and money by letting you make use of recycled materials and avoid future waste.
When planning the relocation of a large amount of heavy construction material for repurposing, consider how far the materials will need to be transported. If the closest location is too far, it could potentially cost you and your team more time and resources to haul them to it. Before you start your project, know where the closest recycling center is, and have a backup plan in place if it’s too out of the way.
Construction material is a significant source of waste in this country, although it doesn’t have to stay that way. By reusing or recycling certain materials, you can save your team time and money as well as help the environment. For more information about recycling and construction waste disposal in Burlington County, reach out to the experts at Horizon today!
Horizon Disposal Services is a division of Mercer Group International of NJ, Inc.