Reducing Waste on Building & Construction Sites

Managing waste generated at construction sites is of utmost importance due to its significant impact on the environment and the construction industry. 

As per the Australian Bureau of Statistics, construction and demolition waste accounts for 40% of landfill waste. 

It is essential to properly manage and control this waste to mitigate potential environmental consequences that could arise from improper treatment. 

Large-scale construction projects, in particular, need help finding sustainable waste storage solutions and often resort to sending waste to landfills, which are already overflowing.

Risks of Inadequate Waste Management

Improper management of construction waste can result in multiple risks and consequences, affecting various aspects, including:

• Environmental Impact:

Inadequate waste disposal can lead to pollution, contamination of soil and water, air pollution, and the disruption of habitats, contributing to environmental degradation.

• Public Health and Safety Concerns:

Exposure to hazardous materials can pose risks to human health. 

At the same time, safety hazards on construction sites can lead to accidents and injuries, jeopardising the safety of workers and the public.

• Legal Consequences:

Non-compliance with waste disposal regulations may result in fines and penalties, which can damage the reputation of construction companies and affect their long-term sustainability.

• Resource Depletion:

Wasteful use of resources, increased waste disposal costs, and a lack of focus on recycling can contribute to resource depletion.

This hinders the transition to a circular economy and sustainable practices.

Existing Australian Waste Management Policies

The Australian National Waste Policy is a national guide for nationwide waste and resource recovery practices. 

It emphasises the significance of collective efforts and delineates various entities' duties and accountabilities, including businesses, governments, communities, and individuals.

Australia recently introduced a policy outlining five crucial principles to manage waste and effectively promote a sustainable and circular economy. 

These principles include avoiding waste generation, enhancing resource recovery, encouraging recycled materials, managing material flows, and providing better information to guide investments and consumer decisions.

The ultimate goal of this policy is to minimise waste, conserve resources, and promote the well-being of Australians. 

By following these principles, Australia hopes to create a sustainable and circular economy that benefits the environment, the economy, and human health.

In 2019, the National Waste Action Plan was implemented. This includes seven targets that the government wishes to reach by specific dates. 

These targets are:

• Regulate waste exports
• Reduce total waste generated by 10% per person by 2030
• Recover 80% of all waste by 2030
• Significantly increase the use of recycled content by governments and industry
• Phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics by 2025
• Halve the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030
• Provide data to support better decisions

The construction industry is not excluded from these targets. It must adhere to better policies and work practices to achieve the desired results.

Practical Tips for Waste Management

Here are some tips to help with waste reduction and management on your construction site:

• Responsible Disposal and Recycling:

It is essential to dispose of waste legally and responsibly, prioritising recycling and reusing materials such as bricks, clean soil, metal, and timber to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.

• Use of Skip Bins:

For smaller projects, it is recommended to use skip bins for waste management, making sure to have separate bins for different types of waste to make recycling easier. 

Always keep clear guidelines on what materials can and cannot be recycled.

Fabric Dome Shelters to Help Reduce Waste

A helpful tip for managing and controlling construction waste is to consider investing in fabric container domes and shelters. 

With the help of these structures, waste products can be sorted and separated, creating a space where scrap materials can be stored for future use. 

Recycling these materials can significantly reduce material costs, as less money will need to be spent on outsourcing materials. 

Within a dome shelter, designated areas can be set up for sorting and separating recyclable materials from non-recyclables. 

This process streamlines the recycling process, allowing for proper disposal of materials like metal, wood, concrete, and plastics.

In addition to providing a designated space for waste, fabric shelters also offer weather protection to safeguard materials from external elements. 

This is crucial for materials that can get damaged from rain or other weather conditions. For construction sites that generate hazardous waste, dome shelters can be adapted to store such materials securely. 

This ensures compliance with regulations regarding the handling and containing of hazardous substances and provides a safer option than just throwing these materials out, which skip bins cannot accommodate. 

For more information on container domes and shelters for the construction industry, visit Allshelter at https://www.allshelter.com.au/.