How To Correctly Recycle Construction Materials on the Job
It’s no secret that wasting materials on a construction job is all too easy. And if you work in construction, then you probably understand this issue from firsthand experience. You’ve likely heard the common phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle”—people repeat it often for a reason. By applying these three terms to your construction or home renovation project, you’ll keep your leftover construction materials out of landfills while reducing costs on the project. Learn more about how to correctly recycle construction materials on the job below.
The Effects of Failing to Recycle Materials
If not properly disposed of, certain construction materials can poorly affect the environment and even our health. An example of this is lead, which is toxic; if it ends up in the water supply, it can harm the community’s health. Another material that’s harmful to the environment is plasterboard, which releases a poisonous gas called hydrogen sulfide.
Recycling is crucial because it keeps us safe from the elements mentioned above—and many more. You can and should also recycle any of the following:
Lumber and wood products
Vegetation and trees
Cardboard and paper
Plastic crates, containers, bags, and sheets
Masonry
Appliances and fixtures, including sinks and baths
Metals
Windows, doors, and roofing
A Benefit of Recycling: Savings
If you’re a numbers person, you may benefit from sitting down and crunching the numbers to see how much you can really save from recycling materials. Recycling provides the opportunity for higher profitability and better prices for customers. Buying fewer new materials, not having to transport waste to a landfill, and reselling used materials at market value means you’re making strides toward a positive environmental effect—as well as toward a positive economic effect. Enjoy the savings you’ll reap when you reuse and recycle.
One Way To Reduce Waste: Use the Correct Dimensions
Using standard measurements will reduce the amount of waste your produce during your project in the first place. This in turn makes it easier for you to recycle and reuse any materials you do have left over. The goal of using standard measurements is to keep your project as uncomplicated as possible, which keeps waste low. You’ll also appreciate the time, effort, and money you’ll save.
Four Recycling OptionsRecycling Center
Hauling waste far away can take too much time, effort, and gas, so locate a recycling center near you and call it to find out what materials they take and what their hours are. Once you have this information, you can plan when to take necessary trips to the center. Keep in mind that smaller dumpsters such as 30-yard roll-off dumpsters may be easier to transport than larger 40-yard dumpsters. On the other hand, the larger the dumpster you use, the fewer trips you’ll have to make to the center. Try to estimate the volume of materials you’ll have overall as well as where your time and money are best allocated.
Deconstruct
You can also practice deconstruction instead of complete demolition. Specific organizations such as those specializing in social housing projects can often remove reusable items for you. Keep in mind, too, that this can come with tax advantages for whoever is paying for the overall project.
Resell
You might also consider having a yard sale during or after your project. What you may need to dispose of could be treasure to someone else. Radiators, grates, piping, appliances, and fittings that are still in good quality can pique the interest of others. If a yard sale isn’t plausible, consider platforms such as Facebook Marketplace.
Set a Plan for Best Results
We encourage you to plan in advance how you want to reuse and recycle your materials. Having a clear plan will prevent more chaos within an already chaotic environment. Comb through your supply list and figure out what you have and what you need. If you can reuse a light fixture from a demolition for a future project, add it to the list. Keep track of the lumber you think you’ll be able to keep and how you may want to reuse it in the future, such as for a deck railing. The possibilities are endless, so don’t limit yourself. Have confidence in your plan and the savings you’ll make from it.
Consider asking yourself these questions:
What upcoming projects do I have?
If a demolition is involved, what materials can I reuse for future projects?
What materials will I need to send to a recycling center? Does it take those materials?
Where do I want to store any extra materials on the work site?
Take your construction site materials seriously and use these tips for how to correctly recycle construction materials on the job. In doing so, you’ll save yourself money and materials in the long run. If you’re busy and this is too difficult a task to tackle yourself, assign someone on your team to help you in your efforts—your bank account and the environment will thank you. By recycling properly, reusing materials correctly, using standard measurements, and planning in advance, you’ll be setting up your construction project for success.
