Which Are the Wastes of Construction?
Construction projects generate large amounts of waste, such as during the new structure or its dismantling. We know it is easier said than done, which is why UK Construction Waste Co decided to effectively play our parts from the start. But what exactly is construction waste, and how can we handle this kind of debris correctly?
Key Takeaways
Construction waste includes bricks, concrete, glass, metals, wood, and hazardous materials.
Proper planning and division of waste based on its nature are needed for efficient management.
To reduce the environmental load effectively, it is necessary to recycle a large part and be more specific for each type of product.
Proper management of hazardous waste is critical to Human health and ecosystem balance.
Introduction to Construction Waste
Any waste that is generated from a construction activity such as demolition, renovation or new construction is defined under the category of construction wastes. The UK alone constructs it’s amount of waste to around 68 million tonnes a year, this is just one country and this enforces how high on the list of proper ways of waste management should be.
Types of Construction Waste
Understand that all types of waste should be dumped in construction rubbish bins or recycled. The major categories are as follows:
Concrete, Bricks, Tiles, Cement, and Ceramics
This makes up a large portion of construction waste. Bricks break to pieces, concrete stays and tile waste accumulates on construction sites all over the world erecting buildings. Most of this can be recycled or reused.
Bituminous Mixtures, Coal Tar, and Tar
They are generally employed in road construction and roofing. If interested in them, they should be taken to an appropriate facility for disposal due to their possible negative environmental effects.
Insulation and Asbestos Materials
Toxic substance controls apply to some contaminants associated with methods of insulation, but most are only regulated when asbestos-related. Asbestos is a hazardous material and its disposal must be closely watched to avoid health threats.
Metallic Waste
Steel, copper or aluminium are the same common and metallic recycling cane materials. However, some metal waste such as hazardous substances-containing cables must be properly disposed of.
Wood, Glass, and Plastic
These materials most often end up in landfills as construction waste. Our Recycled wood and clean glass are capable of being recycled, but dirty plastic is not.
Soil, Stones, and Dredging
In excavations, a huge amount of soil and stone is removed from the ground. Sometimes soil or unstained stones can be carried over to reuse. However, it is contaminated with hazardous substances and will require a few special ways of processing.
Adhesives and Sealants
Because everything solid is derived from chemicals and can be a hardship to recycle. The correct way we dispose of it is crucial to not pollute the environment.
Paints and Varnishes
Disposal of old paints and varnishes, particularly if they still contain hazardous chemicals, may also pose a conundrum. Some paint can be recycled.
Categorising Construction Waste
Construction waste can be classified into three types: liquid waste, solid waste, and hazardous waste. Special disposal instructions are provided for each variety.
Liquid Waste
This includes water, chemicals, and oils. Although some forms of liquid waste, such as stormwater and wastewater, can be easily disposed of safely, others require appropriate handling due to their hazardous nature.
Solid Waste
Materials such as timber, brick, and concrete are generally considered solid waste. The majority of solid waste can be disposed of in commercial skips, but hazardous solid waste must be treated entirely differently.
Hazardous Waste
Harmful waste, whether solid, liquid, or gas, poses serious damage to health and the environment. Oil, heavy-duty cleaning chemicals, and batteries are some examples. Safe disposal is key to preventing harm.
Reducing Construction Waste
Planning and Design
This is because effective waste management begins with planning. Avoiding structure design waste, using prefabricated materials, and taking well-dimensioned measures are possible strategies to reduce the amount of shavings produced.
Efficient Material Use
Ordering correctly along with pre-seasoned materials is a substantial amount of on-site work to leave virtually no waste. Cleaning reclaimed materials and handling material on-site further helps reduce waste.
Recycling Practices
Construction waste management is essential for proper recycling. Concrete, metals and wood can be recycled for use a second time or in other areas of the same project saving hundreds of thousands from entering landfills.
Conclusion
Every construction project needs to know how they can understand and treat the waste properly. One of the ways to limit your environmental footprint and become more sustainable is by categorising waste, recycling ideas, and proper planning, amongst others, so it can be effectively done.
As a leading provider of construction-specific waste management services, UK Construction Waste Co. combines tailored disposal routes to minimise pollution and labour costs while maximising resource recovery, all under one supplier! To find out more about complete construction waste management solutions, visit UK Construction Waste Co.
This article looks to serve as an informative assist while also positioning UK Construction Waste Co. as a credible voice within the industry thanks to them outlining exactly what types and management of construction waste should involve.
