Construction in itself is a challenge. There are logistics such as sourcing affordable materials, following complex specifications and completing projects within timelines. One of the factors that can slow you down and make the job more difficult is construction debris disposal – but it doesn’t have to be.
You already know that construction and demolition leave a lot of waste behind. However, you might not know the full picture. The construction industry is reported to create roughly 14.2 million tonnes of debris – just in Ontario! What’s more is that only a small fraction ends up getting reused or recycled, which adds to harmful landfills.
That’s why part of the job of construction waste disposal is dealing with it in a responsible manner. However, having your team handle the trash is a waste of resources when you could be focusing more on the task they were hired for.
You need to factor in the estimated time required for construction debris removal. This will give you an idea of how much labour you’ll be paying for based on your team’s hourly rates, added to the cost of operating required vehicles and any dumping fees. These will all impact your bottom line, shrinking your profit margin.
Part of the solution to handling construction waste removal is to have a plan ahead of time. That means knowing which materials can be salvaged for future projects. It also means knowing which waste transfer station to bring materials to – whether it’s for recycling or dumping.
Here are some tips for dealing with construction junk:
Sort Waste as You Build
During a construction project, you have two options: deal with construction debris disposal at the very end, or do it in stages.
The second option might be the more efficient one. This way, you can sort and haul away debris in smaller amounts. But what’s more is that taking this approach can keep the construction area clear, which will help the crew work faster and find usable materials more easily.
A professional debris removal service can lighten the load in this regard by collecting waste materials after each stage of the project is completed, or at the finish. Either way, you want to leave the site looking presentable.
Make the Construction Site Safer
One of the major considerations of construction waste disposal is maintaining a safe site. Piles of unsorted construction debris can become a hazard, as your team can be cut by sharp edges (for example glass) or even trip over discarded items (such as broken concrete.)
If a worker in hurt by careless construction debris disposal, you will lose their efforts and expertise while they recover. This can slow down the project, potentially impacting the timelines and creating negative relations with the client. It can also lead to potential liability if your crewmember makes a claim due to negligence.
Keeping the construction area clear of waste will allow your crew to move around more confidently, without fearing the risk of harm. A debris removal service also has knowledge of hazardous materials (such as asbestos), and can either haul it away or advise how to handle it properly within regulations.
Not sure what items can be recycled? You can rely on the knowledge of a pro, but knowing ahead of time can save some guesswork.
What is Construction Waste Comprised Of?
While the term construction debris disposal suggests all of the discarded materials is junk, that’s not usually the case. Much of the materials that result from demolition and construction can be salvaged for future projects, or taken to a recycling facility.
Let’s break it down a bit further:
Brick and concrete are both recyclable, often crushed and used as aggregate for road bases or for landscaping projects. Brick that is undamaged can either be sold or retained for future projects.
Wood continues to be in high demand as the lumber supply chain recovers. In any case, many types of wood including support beams and window frames can be reclaimed.
Untreated lumber can of course be saved for future projects. But it can also be used for “new” flooring, furniture, and even playground equipment. Even wood that is not suitable for these purposes can be chipped for landscaping or made into wood pulp. Wood is also widely used as a biomass fuel source (as permitted.)
Plastics and metals leftover from construction waste disposal can also be salvaged for various uses. The most common types of plastics in construction include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and high-density polyethylene, which can be found in piping, flooring, and even insulation. Even packaging from new construction materials can be recycled.
Diverting plastics from the landfill through construction debris removal is especially important as plastics take decades to break down and can end up in water supplies, potentially impacting health.
Meanwhile, metals leftover from construction and demolition can be valuable. Items like aluminum and copper can be salvaged for new products that require these metals, from soda cans to electronic devices.
The added bonus of recycling or re-using metal products is that it will lessen the need to mine more resources, which itself can impact the environment through contamination or deforesting.
There are a number of other construction materials that can see another life, including drywall that can be ground into soil conditioner. The gypsum content of drywall can also be used for new drywall, or for binding/hardening some surfaces such as tennis courts or roads.
Tiles, plaster, canvas, and roof shingles can often be salvaged through proper construction waste removal.
Save Time and Money
A professional construction debris removal company can handle all of your leftovers in an efficient and responsible manner, letting your team focus solely on building. It also ensures applicable materials are recycled, lessening the impact on the environment.
Find out how partnering with construction debris removal is a smart choice to maximize resources and reduce challenges from 1-800-Rid-Of-It, and how to save 10%.