Construction projects can produce large amounts of recyclable building waste no matter the project size. In 2017, the Australian construction and demolition industry generated 20.4 million tons of waste including bricks, concrete, metal, timber, plasterboard, asphalt, rock and soil. With approximately 75 per cent of construction and demolition waste being diverted from landfill, there are more choices you can make to ensure your project is even more sustainable.
SOURCE THE RIGHT MATERIALS
Using recycled materials means these non-renewable resources don’t go directly to waste. Non-renewable materials are those that deplete over time, so it’s important to manage how they’re used to avoid running out. If key materials are no longer available, they may need to be substituted with potentially inferior materials, which can cause problems for the construction industry in terms of costs, material availability, and construction durability as well as aesthetic desirability. Metals, wood, and sandstone are just some materials that are non-renewable; however, they can be reused once treated correctly.
When looking to source materials for a project, try to find suppliers who distribute only recycled construction products and, where possible, accept used materials back to be recycled. This will reduce the need for the resources to be extracted or produced and, in turn, reduce the rate of depletion. You will also be supporting a sustainable business while creating your own sustainable project. This reduces the overall environmental impact of your project.
REDUCE POLLUTION
Sourcing recycled building materials also helps to reduce the amount of pollution entering the environment. The process of extracting non-renewable resources produces water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which can lead to biodiversity destruction, food chain contamination, climate change, and extreme weather.
Light and noise pollution can also disrupt ecosystems and impact human and animal life. By reducing the pollution output of a project, you can minimise its impact on the environment.
PROTECT AND PRESERVE
Extracting resources can destroy the environment including ecosystems and wildlife. Using recycled products incurs less damage to the environment, helping to protect ecosystems and wildlife. The more businesses that continue to choose recycled materials for their projects, and who recycle materials in turn, the better. Reducing our impact on the world is essential as we become more acutely aware of the earth’s fragility and the effects of deforestation and resource depletion. Creating a construction project doesn’t have to mean stripping the earth of more of its natural resources. There are recycled products that will be just as effective while being more environmentally safe and sustainable for the future.
