6 Ways to Deal with Waste while Building a New House

The construction industry is not very clean and green—it’s actually one of the biggest producers of waste. So if you’re building a new house, make sure to dispose of waste in a sustainable way that will also be practical and easy to pull off. If you need ideas on how to deal with construction waste, here’s what to consider:

Designate a waste disposal team

In a project that’s as big as building a house, you will have plenty of waste to manage, most of the time, using different techniques. Proper waste management requires time and dedication, so why not hire a person that will help with waste disposal, recycling, and sorting? This person will work closely with you and the construction team and allow the safe disposal of even the most dangerous materials.

Rent a dumpster

A dumpster is the most practical way to dispose of construction waste. These containers are big, durable, and suitable for all sorts of waste from concrete to wood, plastic, and anything in between. The disposal of hazardous waste is not suitable for regular dumpsters, so no lead, asbestos, paint, paint thinner, aerosol cans, or bulbs— these should be disposed of by professionals. Renting a dumpster is cost-effective and renters usually have a wide variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the size and nature of your project. Construction waste just lying around can be a huge danger for contractors and all visitors to the site, but with a dumpster, you can group all the rubbish in one place and keep it safe until it’s time to drive to the landfill.

Install garbage chutes

A garbage chute and a dumpster work like a well-oiled machine. In places like Australia, it’s a common practice to install a garbage chute when building any taller creation, because it allows safe and easy transportation of waste from higher levels of the building and into the dumpster. This makes waste disposal easier and cleaner. If you look up some waste chute in Melbourne, you’ll notice solutions that are not only reserved for construction waste disposal but can also stay installed for future use and make many lives easier. Chutes with odor release vents can be used in finished homes and buildings for easy disposal of everyday trash.

Separate recyclables

Many materials that get leftover from the demolition of the first property and construction of the new building can be recycled. In order to make recycling possible, waste needs to be sorted and recyclables identified. By getting a few labeled trash cans for the crew to toss waste that’s not ready for the dumpster, it’s possible to get metals, wood, glass, and paper and send them to recycling. Even fixtures like sinks, baths, countertops, and cabinets can be recycled. Here’s a good list of things that can be put into recycling for you and your contractors to follow:

• Steel
• Copper
• Paper products and cardboard
• Plastics
• Wood (untreated kind)
• Concrete and masonry
• Gravel
• Drywall
• Glass products (window glass, for instance)
• Carpeting
• Asphalt
• Brick
  Roofing shingles

Reuse Some of the Materials

Just as some materials can be recycled, others can be reused in construction. If you’re building a new house after demolishing the old building, a great idea is to pull apart some of the structures (instead of destroying them) and use the materials for the new building. In some cases, complete disassembly can be avoided, so consult with experts. By integrating old building structures into the new building, you can minimize waste and save a lot of money and time. In many cases, things like wood, metals, architectural molding, high-quality doors, and windows, as well as antique fixtures can all be saved and reused in order to achieve a one-of-a-kind design effect. In case you don’t have any need for the materials and fixtures in your new house, there are places that accept donations of doors, hardware, appliances, and fixtures (thing Habitat for Humanity). Check out any charity projects in your area that gladly reuse materials and turn them into homes for less fortunate people or animals.

Chip wood

And finally, your construction process will definitely require some extensive landscaping like cutting trees, branches, and bushes. Don’t fill out your dumpster with these organic materials, but hire a wood chipper, push all trees through the machine and get a lot of useful mulch for your garden (you might even have some mulch to sell or give to friends). If you have a lot of organic material left after the project is complete, you can start a composting pile and turn that waste into compost for your flowers, veggies, and lawn.

The construction industry might not be zero-waste just yet, but with your waste disposal efforts, you can ensure you minimize the waste you produce and dispose of it properly. If you follow all the tips above, you’ll have a cleaner, safer and greener construction site and minimize the time required for cleanup.