How to Ease the Stress of Construction Waste Management
If you work in construction, you can’t help but notice how much waste occurs. Because of this, construction waste management is vital. Not only do more people in the construction industry want to make less of an impact on the ecosystem, but many locales now have requirements in place that control how much construction waste is acceptable and what should be done with the waste that is generated.
Instead of feeling stressed, consider the following three steps and relax with the knowledge that you are doing what you can to reduce the impact of construction waste.
Figure Out What You’re Throwing Away
Spend some time on the worksite and conduct a waste management audit. Are you tossing old materials, packaging or hazardous wastes? Each of these must be dealt with differently.
Take note of the items that are thrown away for a set period of time and determine where you struggle. This makes it much easier to decide how to proceed. You may be surprised by how much waste there actually is. Unless you take note, many things may slip by unnoticed.
Create a Plan for the Future
When it comes to waste management, it pays to plan ahead. Not only may there be requirements that you outline a plan, it makes it easier to decide how to proceed. Put it down on paper (or electronically, of course!) Then, even if you are not around to handle the day-to-day activities involved in construction waste management, those who you work with will be able to proceed in your stead.
Consider Waste Diversion
What about all the items you have that don’t have to wind up as waste? Waste diversion is especially important in the construction industry. Can you reuse any of these products yourself? If not, there is probably someone who can. Items that are too rough to reuse may be recyclable. Metal can be melted down into scrap, wood turned into chips or pulp and plastic recycled. Divert as much waste as possible and you will have less waste to manage in the first place.
Key Takeaways:
Construction waste is a major concern. Not only is it costly for you to deal with, there are more and more laws going into effect that require that you reduce your waste.
Following these three steps (outlined above) can help you get a handle on the waste situation on your construction site:
- Conduct a Waste Audit
- Develop a Plan
- Divert Waste When Possible
Need Help?
Do you need help maintaining and managing the waste created on your construction site, contact us today for tips and the importance of renting a commercial dumpster.
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