As the effects of waste becoming too great to deny, there have been more and more focus on the levels of waste being produced globally. The main thing to understand is the fact that waste isn’t sustainable, which has led to business across many sectors seeking ways address the waste they produce.
According to Wrap, the UK’s biggest consumer of natural resources is the construction industry. They had released a study that revealed the sector uses 400 million tonnes of material every year, resulting in 100 million tonnes of waste being produced. To put this in perspective, the level of this waste contributes to over a third of the UK’s total waste amount produced annually.
The problems with waste in construction
Addressing the issue of the construction industry’s waste, Resource’s Allan Sandilands claims the lack of media coverage is one of the contributing factors delaying the public’s response to the sector’s waste problem.Where plastic pollution has been heavily documented in regard to its effects on wildlife, Sandilands notes no such coverage has occurred for the construction industry, which he refers to as the “silent sector”.
With there being a poorly enforced compliance measures, unpredictable procurement clauses and a constant theme of blame passing from clients to contractors, Mr. Sandilands concludes these being the reasons for why the sector is failing to manage its waste.
With a lack of knowledge on the benefits of recycling and reusing materials, the sector is unlikely to change its waste-based behaviours. But, Wrap highlights how the construction sector is missing out on more than just the benefit of reducing waste levels, showing how tackling construction site waste can help to:
- Save natural resources
- Keep compliant with legislation
- Reduce CO2 emissions as well as waste levels
- Reduce costs of purchasing materials by reusing materials instead
- Bring in money by collecting and recycling materials
How can the sector address the problem?
There are ways that the construction industry can address its attitude towards waste management and take advantage of the benefits. The main way is for companies to understand the need to better manage the current waste output of their firm, as well as earlier planning and involvement throughout the supply chain. It is important to consider waste management as an ongoing process, rather than just a result; this change in view can help in minimising the amount of waste generated.
A recommended practice for these companies to take to change their views and waste management, involves minimisation. Through efficient material usage and limiting waste generated, companies can aid in waste management before waste contractors are even involved in the process. A basic run-down of such an approach includes:
- Pre-design — Outline the goals your company wish to achieve as part of its updated waste management process.
- Design and Procurement — Review the current process and highlight any missed opportunities or areas of improvement. Draw up a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) in order to keep track of waste, as well as noting opportunities to minimise waste.
- Pre-construction — Use KPIs and efficient site set-up to ensure best practice on-site.
- Construction — Continuous monitoring, as well as feedback, is vital at this stage.
- Post-construction — Review process and any feedback from on-site staff.
Another good practise would be to create a detailed SWMP which can help reduce on-site waste by up to 15%, which translates to 43% less waste being sent to landfills. It might sound like an additional, large task to carry out, but it will help streamline the project in the long term. Plus, you can speak to a waste management supplier, such as Reconomy, in regard to creating a Site Waste Management Plan; they will be able to advise you on the best ways to segregate your waste material, which skips you need, and how to safely dispose of any hazardous materials.
An easy place to start too for construction industries, would to be look into their order processes and ensure they’re not overstocked on any material, they can do this by looking back at similar projects and accessing the end waste, which is effective for predicting the need for materials. Plus, a review of storage facilities can ensure the materials last as long as possible; is your storage site waterproof and secure?
For any waste that is already generated, it may be worth looking to see if any of it can be used instead of ordering more materials. Alternatively, explore the option of selling or donating unused materials in the event that you cannot return them.
Of course, if the waste material cannot be re-used or repaired for reuse, then there is the option to recycle too. If you have an outsourced waste management provider, they will be able to help advise on this. Recycling is obviously the best option for the environment, but it can also save you money on landfill tax!
Waste innovations being introduced for construction
Where there many ways the construction industry can reduce and address its waste, the future is looking bright for the sector too.
A report released by World Economic Forum revealed a potential new building material that can be used as another source for waste by making it a raw material, that being the use of food matter. In fact, the source reports that some companies have already begun to tap into this resource; the use of mushrooms for creating bricks in a tower construction, building materials made out of corn cobs, wheat, and even banana plants. Pineapple as a leather substitute, fabrics from citrus peels — if these ideas catch on, the issue of construction waste could be combatted hand-in-hand with waste from other sectors.
For all sectors, reducing waste is a big importance and the construction industry it a key figurehead in the UK’s waste total. As such, it is the responsibility of the sector to do as much as possible to reduce, reuse, and recycle its materials wherever possible.
