Are you about to embark on a new construction project on your property?
Then you must’ve already pondered over how to deal with the waste that’ll be generated ultimately. After all, lawful disposal of construction waste is just as essential as getting the project completed properly.
And that’s where recycling comes into the picture; it’s been unanimously regarded as the best way to rule out any adverse impacts of the waste on the environment. But then, what makes recycling so crucial?
Don’t worry; we’ll be answering the question for you through this simplified guide. So, let’s begin.
The Importance Of Recycling Construction Waste
Our planet’s existence has been endangered by undesirable encroachments and the disposal and release of pollutants into nature. As such, we should be well aware of how such activities affect our environment.
Speaking of the construction sector, it results in the production of tonnes of waste materials every year. That’s why devising ways to dispose of the waste correctly is of prime importance.
Moreover, some materials might take centuries to decompose and lead to massive environmental damage. This might include the pollution of nearby water bodies and the production of methane, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Plus, an alarming amount is transferred to landfills, thereby having an adverse impact on the environment and contaminating several natural habitats. And such waste is generated almost daily as a result of different construction activities.
An alternative to systematic waste disposal that many opt for is the incineration of waste products. But this can harm the environment more as the burning procedure releases several dangerous chemical compounds into the atmosphere, thereby adversely affecting humans and animals.
Such threats to our planet and the risks associated with incineration call for adopting a better technique such as recycling for the construction industry.
Recyclable Construction Waste
Construction activities produce many types of waste ranging from asphalt and wood to plastics, metals, and concrete. And the good news is that many of these materials are recyclable. As such, there’s a lot of scope for construction companies to alter their practices in an effort to decrease the amount of waste by adopting good recycling practices.
That’s why we’ve included this section where we’ll be briefly discussing the most widely used construction materials that can be successfully recycled:
1. Plastic
Plastic is primarily used for making plumbing lines, wall coverings, floorings, and windows. Also, surprising as it might sound, a considerable quantity of plastic comes from the workers’ lunches. The packaging of the food items greatly contributes to the plastic waste generated on construction sites.
To prevent the accumulation of such waste, plastics such as polypropylene, PVC, and polystyrene can be recycled to make roof tiles, indoor insulation, carpeting, and fences. These are lightweight, waterproof, and durable and are thus perfect for making such construction products.
2. Bricks
First of all, here’s an interesting fact — bricks can last for as long as 200 years, which makes them one of the most durable construction materials out there.
That’s why bricks previously utilised for constructing walls, infrastructure, and paving can be easily used in a new project. You may also choose to sell the bricks to companies that use reclaimed materials.
Furthermore, bricks that aren’t perfectly shaped or are slightly damaged can still be used for different purposes like landscaping projects and making new bricks.
3. Wood
Wood waste generated in the course of construction projects includes crates, pallets, beams, door frames, windows, paneling, and more. Altogether, these add up to a large amount of wood waste on any construction site.
But fortunately, most timber varieties can be recycled, provided construction workers can segregate the low-quality and contaminated wood pieces or scrap from the reusable ones. The wood is then shredded into different sizes based on its final usability.
Notably, the larger pieces are used to make a variety of furnishings, whilst the smaller ones are utilized to make items like animal bedding.
4. Glass
Such waste is usually generated from refurbishment and demolition projects. Note that discarded glass is suitable for making insulation and decorative materials or can be utilized as a fluxing agent in the production of bricks. And when crushed finely, it can be the perfect replacement for gravel or sand.
5. Concrete
In the initial phases of any construction project, structures such as driveways and pathways are generally demolished to help make way for new buildings. This leaves construction workers and contractors with large amounts of this material that must be dealt with soon to avoid accidents.
As for its recyclability, concrete can be crushed into small particles for use in the form of new materials such as gravel.
FAQs
Q1. How can a skip help in recycling construction waste?
Skips are designed to hold large quantities of demolition and construction waste along with wastes of other types. So, you’ll be able to clear a substantial amount of these waste materials using a skip without making multiple trips to the spots where they’re recycled.
Q2. How do skip-hire companies work?
Modern skip-hire companies understand the need for recycling various products and materials to prevent them from being dumped in landfills. As such, they recycle such waste as much as possible after systematically sorting, processing, and disposing of them.
Q3. How should you select a skip?
Firstly, considering the size and nature of your project is essential to determine the right type of skip you’ll need. You will also keep in mind the access required on site. For example, roll-off skips are ideal if you have large amounts of waste to dispose of and hence allow wider access.
Final Words
Hopefully, our guide has alerted you to the importance of recycling construction waste.
So, go ahead and do your bit to protect our beloved planet. Here’s a pro-tip — while you’re in talks with a skip-hire company, don’t forget to discuss the types of waste they deal with. This can help you ascertain whether it’s suitable for your waste disposal requirements.
With that, we’ll sign off for now. See you with another informative guide soon!
