The construction industry usually generates large amounts of waste at each construction site. While the sector is a major driver of the economy, both nationally and globally, it is also one of the most polluting. Debris and leftover materials represent an environmental challenge for construction companies, and many of them are already aware of the need to work on waste reduction and sustainability.
We often hear and read about our collective responsibility to achieve a more sustainable world, but why is reducing construction waste so crucial to sustainability? Much of the waste from construction sites ends up in landfills, causing significant environmental impact and potentially contaminating soil and water. On the one hand, at the legislative level, countries are implementing increasingly strict regulations to control the generation of this waste. On the other hand, for construction companies, this waste represents significant annual costs that they are eager to reduce.
According to studies, the construction sector is responsible for about 30% to 40% of the solid waste generated worldwide. The most common types of waste include concrete, bricks, wood, plastics, and metals.
To significantly reduce this waste, personalHOME carries out the following strategies integrated into our daily work plans:
1. Sustainable design and efficient planning
The key to reducing waste begins at the design stage. Opting for precise design aided, for example, by iA that minimizes errors and makes the best use of materials significantly reduces waste. Efficient resource planning prevents the overbuying of materials and their unnecessary accumulation. If you’re interested in learning more about the application of AI in the construction sector, read this post.
2. Use of recyclable materials
Building with recycled or recyclable materials in construction is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste. Materials such as steel, glass, and some plastics can be reused or recycled several times without losing quality, thereby reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
3. Waste management at the construction site
Implementing an efficient waste management program at construction sites is critical. This includes proper separation of materials, safe storage of waste, coordination for collection, and recycling and reuse, such as converting debris into useful gravel. At personalHOME, we train our personnel in waste management practices, promoting a culture of responsibility.
4. Technology and digital construction
The use of digital technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modeling) allows architects and designers to better plan the use of materials and anticipate waste generation. Through simulations, it becomes possible to avoid excessive material use and to plan for the reuse of structural elements.
Waste reduction is not a future concern but a pressing need today. The construction sector must commit to minimizing waste, not only due to the significant environmental impact but also because of the cost savings it brings to the companies involved.
