Pushing sustainability will require change from industries of every kind around the globe. Pivotal sectors, like construction, can make a big difference in waste management. Thankfully, countries are realizing this and making an effort toward construction efficiency.

Does Construction and Demolition Waste Management Matter?

Managing construction and demolition waste affects the environment’s and people’s health. It consumes a large quantity of resources, and the sheer volume of garbage generated from these operations should be a cause for concern.

Better waste management is key to scaling back environmental impact. However, construction and demolition waste receives only modest research attention worldwide. Even then, it’s still redirected toward topics like concrete recycling rather than more definitive concepts, like a circular economy, which can actually eliminate waste and pollution.

Countries Where Construction Waste Management is Being Prioritized

Governments and companies worldwide are implementing building construction waste reduction strategies to reduce their environmental impact in the long run. Here are some highlights to give you hope.

United States

The United States is no stranger to construction waste. The construction and demolition sector creates 600 million tons of debris annually, which is more than twice the municipal solid waste. That said, sustainable deconstruction methods are becoming a feature of the local industry.

Material recovery facilities can practice selective demolition, which helps preserve and recycle most materials. It would also conserve raw resources for other construction cases, which minimizes the need for extraction when starting a new project.

United Kingdom

UK regulators understand the destruction construction waste can cause to landfills and energy resources. They have since passed the Environment Act 2021, which aims to slash all avoidable waste by 2050 through better waste management and safe disposal practices.

Regulations affecting the construction industry call for better air quality, resource efficiency and water waste reduction. Professionals are encouraged to integrate more sustainable methods, such as waste management and recycling.

Croatia

The World Bank is helping Croatia become more sustainable with a five-year Circular Economy Action Plan. The country creates 6 million tons of waste yearly, mostly from the construction sector. It previously mismanaged this waste by relying on landfilling.

Introducing more sustainable principles, like promoting product reuse and using less harmful products, can slow down or even reverse environmental degradation. Incentives have been created for companies participating in the action plan. 

Sweden

Sweden created an interim objective centering around increased resource efficiency in the construction sector. The goal is to make the annual weight percentage for preparatory reuse, material recycling, and non-hazardous construction and demolition waste recovery at least 70% by 2025.

One active method employed throughout the country is source sorting, which identifies and groups construction and demolition waste. It helps minimize pollution and contamination of any reusable materials, while promoting safe handling of hazardous waste.

Japan

Japan is a pioneer of construction waste management due to how hard-hitting waste generation was during modernization in the 19th century. In fact, it saw an increase of 35 million tons of waste in 20 years during the 20th century, noting how construction and manufacturing waste were included in the mix.

Garbage generation was reduced after the 21st century due to proactive techniques. For example, the country’s main goal of creating cleaner, living environments prompted the issuance of waste disposal contractor and construction permits.

New Zealand

Projects create more preventable waste than you’d think. Construction and demolition waste makes up to 50% of New Zealand’s total waste, but a study finds each newly built house has over 4.5 tons of preventable debris. That waste could have even saved up to $31,000 in building costs.

Instead, it created extra expenses in transporting waste to landfills. Ecolabel specification — which can identify the waste that can be diverted from building materials — is an encouraged practice to improve construction and demolition waste management.

Additional Ways to Protect Construction Sustainability

Businesses exercising construction waste management can reduce their carbon footprint and improve the world, but individuals can also do their part to keep these ideologies alive.

Consider Equipment Rental Over Purchasing 

With the global construction equipment rental market projected to reach $181.81 billion by 2031, renting rather than purchasing heavy equipment is becoming a significant sustainability strategy. Renting eliminates the need for long-term storage facilities, reduces equipment redundancy and provides access to the latest, more fuel-efficient technologies without the high upfront costs. This approach not only conserves resources, but also ensures the right-sized equipment is used for each specific job, preventing inefficiencies leading to increased fuel consumption and unnecessary environmental impact.

Donate to Carbon OffSetting Projects

Construction processes, like transporting waste off-site, will create carbon one way or another, especially if viable, greener alternatives haven’t been developed and used yet. Seek projects that offset unavoidable CO2 and consider making a small donation.

These offsetting projects can include planting trees or building renewable energy projects. Monetary support can go a long way in keeping these operations going. You could also volunteer your own time to help out and meet a new Earth-loving community.

Be Mindful of Your Own Renovations

If you’re starting construction or renovation projects on your dream home or a business space, consider getting involved in its waste management. You can partner with contractors who prioritize resource efficiency and material reuse during the earlier stages.

Once preventive measures are in place, turn your attention to waste management practices during the actual renovation process. For example, have bins in place to segregate excess material and promote recycling.

Stay Updated

Construction waste management constantly changes, and staying tuned to the developments can help you understand where the world is currently at in tackling these issues. For example, technology is becoming increasingly prominent in the construction industry. Programs are capable of digitally tracking waste materials, which can help with their collection, segregation and reuse. This knowledge can be beneficial when you want to lobby for these initiatives within your own country.

Educate Other People

Your voice alone is powerful, but collective action can be more effective at getting attention. There are already 77% of Americans who believe human activity contributes a great deal to global climate change.

Get more specific by relaying how construction companies and governments are influencing the environment with their waste management strategies. The more aware they are, the more people will turn to the world’s progress for sustainability.

Promote Sustainability in Construction 

The world has made great progress in improving construction waste management, but there is still much work to be done. Implore businesses to prioritize sustainability, and change will follow suit.