Sustainability is increasingly becoming a topic of concern across the globe. Businesses are also becoming more aware of the social and environmental impact of their operations. As a result, they aim to be more sustainable and run their businesses responsibly. One of the ways to achieve sustainability is through proper waste management.
The construction industry is one of the leading waste producers in many countries, including Australia. According to the National Waste Report 2020 by the Department of the Environment and Energy (DOEE), Australia collects 27 million tons of waste, and 44% of it is construction waste. The report further reveals that at least 76% of the waste is recycled, making construction waste the largest managed waste in the country.
Did you know that you contribute to this waste with your minor home renovations? Fear not. Here are four tips you can do to help with the sustainable disposal of renovation waste.
- Hire Waste Disposal Units
Construction waste is categorized into two: clear debris and assorted debris. Clear debris refers to waste that isn’t mixed with other materials, such as bricks or concrete. On the other hand, assorted debris refers to a mixture of construction waste. A good example is a waste consisting of broken glasses, tiles, wood, and concrete.
These two types of waste are handled differently. Clear debris can easily be reused and repurposed. However, assorted waste must first be evaluated. Assorted waste should not be recycled since it may contain hazardous compounds. The added step of sorting assorted waste raises the cost of disposal.
Using skip bins to separate your waste can help you avoid this extra cost. If you live in New South Wales, there are skip bins Penrith area specific to help you get the job done. They provide a wide range of skip bin options that will suit your needs and budget. These companies are also easily accessible as they have various communication lines, such as a website and a mobile booking application, which makes unit reservations fast and convenient.
Skip bins ensure that your workers have a safe working environment. After all the waste is collected in bins, there’s more space for workers to move around in the renovation site. More space and a sense of order reduce the risk of injuries occurring, such as when a worker stumbles on scrap metal waste.
How important are skip bins to the sustainable disposal of waste? Skip bins help to manage your waste professionally.
Conversations surrounding environmental conservation have opened up a myriad of opportunities for businesses. One of those opportunities is the introduction of companies that aid in sustainable waste management. Skip bin providers are one such company. They are authorized to dispose of the waste following environmental regulations.
These companies collect the waste resulting from your renovation activities and move it to their site for sorting. They identify waste to be reused, recycled, and disposed of through sorting.
Reusable waste is sent to a plant where it’s washed, cleaned, and made ready for reuse in construction projects. Waste that can be recycled is sent to a different type of plant where it may be melted or undergo modification to make it usable again. The remaining waste that can’t be reused or recycled is disposed of in a certified landfill as per environmental guidelines.
Arguably, the best thing about reusing or recycling is that the material will go through the same cycle until it’s no longer productive. The process helps reduce the amount of unnecessary waste that goes into landfills, which pollutes the soil.
- On-site Recycling
Before recycling your renovation waste, check if it’s hazardous. Hazardous waste such as asbestos should only be disposed of by professionals. However, most non-hazardous waste such as wood, aluminum, concrete, and metal can easily be recycled.
On-site recycling does not require professional waste managers or high-tech machinery. The team of renovators sorts the waste at the project site to determine what materials can be recycled.
- Reuse Your Waste
Another way you can dispose of your renovation waste sustainably is by reusing it. For effective reusing, try to ensure that you don’t mix your waste, which circles back to the skip bins. If you have unused materials, think of other future projects where you can use them.
Furthermore, construction companies that promote sustainability may allow you to exchange reusable materials for other resources required for your project. Consider this choice if you do not intend to undertake any new remodeling or building projects in the near future.
Alternatively, you can donate some of the waste materials that can be reused. It helps to put them to good use while removing the need for disposal.
- Reduce Your Waste
What if there was a way to completely avoid needing to dispose of your waste? It starts even before you purchase your construction materials. Think through what and how many supplies you’ll require. Plan ahead of time and only buy what is absolutely necessary. By the end of the project, you will have used up the majority of the resources, leaving only a small amount of waste that is more or less unavoidable.
To Sum It Up!
Don’t sweat thinking about your renovation waste when you can hire professionals to handle it for you. Alternatively, you can recycle, reuse or reduce it from the onset. All these methods help you dispose of your waste sustainably. Through this, you can enjoy your remodeled property and reduce the impact on the environment.
