How to Minimise Construction & Demolition Waste
Posted 07-31-2014 at 05:21 AM by pol_bishop25
In the UK the construction and demolition industry generates more waste than any other sector. More than 100 million tonnes are created every year which is about one third of all UK waste. Great progress is being made in reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill and increasing the level of recycling for construction waste removal. However there is still a long way to go. More than half of our waste still goes to landfill and it is thought that more than 80% of waste that could be recycled currently isn't. On top of that if raw materials continue to be consumed at current rates we will quickly run out of them. To encourage the construction and demolition industry to do their bit by reducing the level of builders waste disposal numerous regulations, directives and levies have been introduced.
PREVENTION OF WASTE
The industry is being encouraged to use fewer materials in the design and construction of buildings, to keep products for longer and re-use wherever possible. Also it is a goal to use less hazardous materials whenever available, as these are inherently difficult to get rid of. Hazardous waste includes items such as fluorescent tubes, TVs and other electrical equipment. It may surprise you to know but research has shown that as much as 30% of construction waste has never actually been used.
RE-USING WASTE
By cleaning, repairing or refurbishing, another goal is to reduce the amount of new products created. If we run out of raw materials what will we do? There is no point in waiting until that day comes, we need to reuse now.
RECYCLING
This involves turning old unwanted materials and items into new ones and composting where appropriate. We can all do our bit here by thinking about the items we are throwing away and putting them to good use. The internet has a wealth of interesting ideas and ways that your junk can be put to good use.
OTHER RECOVERY METHODS
Rather than disposing of unwanted materials and products in landfill the industry needs to look at alternative ways of disposal. These include incineration with energy recovery, anaerobic digestion, gasification and pyrolysis.
LAST RESORT
The last resort should be disposal into landfill or incineration where none of the energy is recovered.
By 2020 the Waste Framework Directive has set a target to increase reuse and recycling rates to 70% across the whole of the EU. All countries need to do their bit in minimising building waste removal levels. In the UK the government has introduced a Waste Strategy for England which sets out several objectives and targets not just for the construction industry but for all businesses and householders as well. Building waste collection and rubbish removal companies in London, such as Rubbish Please, do their best to collect and dispose of residential and commercial waste in the most environmentally sound way, but in order the government to achieve this 70% target, businesses should also take a part of it. The most effective way to minimise the levels of waste disposal is to introduce a levy. Hit businesses where it hurts and that is in their bank balance. The Landfill Tax was introduced in 1996 and is currently 64 pounds per tonne for non-hazardous waste. Quite a substantial figure if you create a lot of waste that goes to landfill.
PREVENTION OF WASTE
The industry is being encouraged to use fewer materials in the design and construction of buildings, to keep products for longer and re-use wherever possible. Also it is a goal to use less hazardous materials whenever available, as these are inherently difficult to get rid of. Hazardous waste includes items such as fluorescent tubes, TVs and other electrical equipment. It may surprise you to know but research has shown that as much as 30% of construction waste has never actually been used.
RE-USING WASTE
By cleaning, repairing or refurbishing, another goal is to reduce the amount of new products created. If we run out of raw materials what will we do? There is no point in waiting until that day comes, we need to reuse now.
RECYCLING
This involves turning old unwanted materials and items into new ones and composting where appropriate. We can all do our bit here by thinking about the items we are throwing away and putting them to good use. The internet has a wealth of interesting ideas and ways that your junk can be put to good use.
OTHER RECOVERY METHODS
Rather than disposing of unwanted materials and products in landfill the industry needs to look at alternative ways of disposal. These include incineration with energy recovery, anaerobic digestion, gasification and pyrolysis.
LAST RESORT
The last resort should be disposal into landfill or incineration where none of the energy is recovered.
By 2020 the Waste Framework Directive has set a target to increase reuse and recycling rates to 70% across the whole of the EU. All countries need to do their bit in minimising building waste removal levels. In the UK the government has introduced a Waste Strategy for England which sets out several objectives and targets not just for the construction industry but for all businesses and householders as well. Building waste collection and rubbish removal companies in London, such as Rubbish Please, do their best to collect and dispose of residential and commercial waste in the most environmentally sound way, but in order the government to achieve this 70% target, businesses should also take a part of it. The most effective way to minimise the levels of waste disposal is to introduce a levy. Hit businesses where it hurts and that is in their bank balance. The Landfill Tax was introduced in 1996 and is currently 64 pounds per tonne for non-hazardous waste. Quite a substantial figure if you create a lot of waste that goes to landfill.
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