Waste is an inevitable by-product of construction, no matter the size of the project.
A few reasons for the construction waste include:
- Material procurement – sometimes more raw material is ordered to avoid a shortage and the possibility that the same
material can’t be sourced at a later stage. When the construction is complete, excess material becomes waste.
Fortunately, these materials can be resold, reused or recycled.
- Building process – cut-offs of material such as metal, glass, wood and concrete end up as waste. Usually, most if not
all of these raw materials can be recycled and do not need to be added to a landfill.
- Demolition – reducing an existing structure to rubble creates a lot of waste, similar to what is left after the
construction of a new project. The material from the demolished site can be recycled the same way as above.
Types of construction waste
When you peek into a skip on a construction site these are the things you’re most likely to see:
- Concrete is probably the most common type of construction waste. Recycled concrete in the form of crushed reinforced
concrete is a popular aggregate in the mixture of new concrete. Using recycled concrete in construction reduces the need
for sand, making it a more sustainable option.
- Bricks can be reused if they retain their structural integrity. Occasionally brick waste includes contaminants such as
plaster. In these cases, bricks can be recycled through crushing. The tiny pieces can be used as filling material.
- Ceramic and tile can become waste when there’s an excess left after the completion of a project. The risk of not
getting the same pattern or material at a later stage often leads to ordering more than the project might require. If
this is the case and they are in good condition, the items can be reused in new projects. If they are damaged from
demolition it is still possible to recycle them.
- Wood from torn-up hardwood floors, roof beams, wall supports and wood shavings is common on construction sites. Again,
there may also be leftover wood once construction is complete. Timber in good condition needs to be cleaned and nails
removed before reusing it in future projects. Recycled wood can be shredded to use as a filler or mulch. Reusing wood
reduces deforestation.
- Insulation materials include cellulose, fibreglass, foams, natural fibres, polystyrene and polyurethane. Waste
insulation material in older buildings may contain asbestos and pose a health risk. During the demolition of these
buildings, the correct hazardous waste removal processes should be in place to dispose of these materials according to
regulations.
- Glass from old windows can be reused or recycled. It can also be crushed and used as an aggregate in concrete.
- Different varieties of plastic waste are usually found around construction sites. There may be plastic elements from
roofs, walls, pipe, cable ducting, light switch covers, smoke detectors and more. Most plastic waste can be recycled and
ideally, the different types should be separated and cleaned ahead of time. A waste disposal company like WasteWise can
assist with this.
- Ferrous metal such as iron and its alloys, such as steel frequently come from old pipes in demolition projects. It can
almost completely be recycled and has a high value for reuse and recycling. Proper recycling leaves very little waste.
Because ferrous metal can be recycled repeatedly it has a long life span.
- Nonferrous metal like aluminium, copper, lead and zinc also have high reuse and recycling value. These metals are
common in nails, rebar and electrical wiring.
- Dredging waste refers to the natural objects removed in preparing a site for construction. This includes soil, rocks,
tree stumps and branches, shrubs, whole trees. Not all of these materials go to landfills but can be reused for mulch.
- Drywall is another common waste product. It is usually made of gypsum wallboard that may contain flue gas
desulfurization (FGD) gypsum. There are debates about whether the mercury levels in this type of gypsum are hazardous.
Recycling drywall into fine particles makes it useful as a soil conditioner.
Construction waste management
Enlisting a professional waste management company with extensive experience in dealing with construction waste is
crucial.
Having experts deal with the waste, ensures that excessive waste and toxic material are kept out of water and soil, and
limits exposure to hazardous material. Furthermore, it allows for the recycling of many materials and the correct
disposal of waste that can’t be reused. Ensuring all waste is dealt with according to legislation will prevent penalties
and save your company money.
WasteWise will manage the safe and responsible disposal of your waste in compliance with government regulations. We can
also handle the recycling of your waste.
Get in touch
Contact us today to discuss your construction waste management requirements and we’ll formulate a solution to your exact
needs.
