Waste Management
Builders, like many other small businesses, can generate large quantities of waste. Some of these waste products could be reused or recycled instead of going into your waste skip for landfill disposal – for example, bricks, cardboard, glass and timber.
Builders can benefit their bottom line by minimisng waste. Given that the costs of waste disposal will continue to increase, that there are heavy penalties for inappropriate disposal , that , it is in your best interests to minimise waste.
How can builders benefit from minimising waste?
- You can save money. All construction waste is paid for three times. First, in buying it and then not using it. Second, in getting rid of it. And third, in the opportunity cost of not being able to use those materials for something useful.
- You lessen the chances of being prosecuted for inappropriate disposal practices.
- Applying good environmental practices is a good marketing tool as many government contracts now require waste minimisation and management plans.
- You help to protect the quality of the environment in which we all live.
Who is responsible for minimising building wastes?
Contractors, managers and workers all have an important influence on how much waste can be reduced in building. There are things each can do to minimise waste in the various aspects of the building project they are working on.
What can you do to avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle waste?
Contractors can:
- Develop a site plan that incorporates waste operations.
- Coordinate the construction to minimise over-ordering.
- Make all subcontractors responsible for their waste.
- Clearly label all waste containers.
- Train all workers to practise waste minimisation.
- Ensure that offcuts are used.
- Ensure that materials are not damaged or contaminated so that they can be reused.
- Identify local markets before setting up a recycling system on-site.
- Set up systems to separate materials on-site for recycling.
- Give feedback to workers.
Managers can:
- Develop a waste management and minimisation plan. Include ways of stacking and storing materials and offcuts for reuse.
- Develop a policy on how workers are to use leftovers.
- Train staff in waste issues and responsibilities.
- Analyse the project waste profile and costs.
- Plan the site and construction sequencing.
- Control purchasing to stop overordering.
- Coordinate the construction.
- Communicate with subcontractors.
- Identify local markets for wastes.
- Buy materials with minimal packaging.
- Require suppliers to accept their packaging back.
- Evaluate the project's waste performance.
- Encourage the use of the Environmental Checklist for Builders.
- Use electronic data transfer (computers and modems) to minimise paper use.
- Assess your own office to see how ou can make reductions there.
- Put up signs telling workers of collecting and recycling goals.
- Schedule waste removal to fit in with building stages.
Workers can:
- Build carefully to avoid waste.
- Look after materials to minimise damage.
- Support and follow the reduce, reuse and recycle programs.
- Stack offcuts safely for reuse.
- Separate all wastes at source and not cross-contaminate them.
- Keep wastes clean and dry.
What about demolition waste?
Tonnes of demolition waste are generated each year in NSW. Much more demolition waste could be recovered. Reusable materials include internal fittings, roofing materials, timber, bricks and even concrete rubble for use as road-base. Reuse of second-hand materials saves money and finite resources. Resale of materials also offsets the costs of demolition.
You can use several strategies to minimise demolition waste:
- Plan ahead to see what you can reuse, either on-site or off-site. For example, reuse timber or use rubble to fill and level the site.
- Develop a waste management plan. Some councils now require one.
- Sort and separate your wastes into individual components. This makes it easier to reuse them.
- Stage the demolition so that like items come out at the same time.
- Sell sorted materials to minimise the cost of disposal. You can do this on-site.
- Find out which councils and companies will take materials to resell elsewhere.
- Find out which waste recyclers will take waste materials such as scrap metals, paint waste and timber.
- Organise your site to allow materials to be sorted, stored and transported.
- Beware of potentially hazardous materials, including lead, asbestos, PCBs and glass fibre. Hazardous materials must be labelled, packaged and handled correctly in accordance with NSW legislation. Call in a specialised contractor to remove these.
Waste management and minimisation plan
Councils often require a waste plan, and your company may also require one. A waste plan will help you to organise your work better and reduce waste costs. A good plan will include details of the volume and type of waste to be generated, how the waste is to be stored and treated on-site, how the residue is to be disposed of, and how management of waste will operate. Your local council may be able to give you a sample waste plan.
Further information
- DECC Environment Line, Tel: 131 555
- Yellow Pages – look under 'Waste Reduction & Disposal Services'
- Your local council
Page last updated: 27 February 2011
