{"id":1718,"date":"2023-06-25T11:53:57","date_gmt":"2023-06-25T11:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.recyclingbristol.com\/?p=1718"},"modified":"2023-08-03T11:54:50","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T11:54:50","slug":"the-effect-of-construction-waste-on-the-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.recyclingbristol.com\/the-effect-of-construction-waste-on-the-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Construction Waste Affect the Environment?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know construction accounts for roughly one-third of global waste?<\/a><\/p>\n

Construction waste has a significant impact on the environment. It breaks down ecosystems, uses up natural resources, and creates clouds of pollution.<\/p>\n

This article will identify construction waste and how it affects the planet. We\u2019ll also show you how the UK regulations affect you and give you tips for correctly disposing of your waste.<\/p>\n

At ETM Recycling<\/a>, we help households and businesses manage<\/em> their construction waste while staying efficient in their work.<\/p>\n

Since our establishment in 1994, we have become one of the leading waste management providers in the South West region. It\u2019s our goal to make a greener world more straightforward for you to achieve. We strive to help Bristol reduce waste in landfills. We aim to do that while we provide you with an affordable and customer-focused service.<\/p>\n

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What is Construction Waste?<\/h2>\n

Construction waste is any waste produced during the building and construction process, whether this is a residential extension, or a commercial infrastructure project. This can include: packaging, demolition, or surplus building materials.<\/p>\n

Construction, renovating, or tearing down buildings can be messy and challenging. With every project you complete, there will be a mountain of supplies to deal with.<\/p>\n

On a construction site, you\u2019ll find a wide range of materials being used to finish your project. When resources like concrete, wood, metals, plastics, or bricks are no longer needed, they become construction waste.<\/p>\n

Construction waste is an issue planners often overlook. And disorganisation and excessive use of materials can have a significant environmental impact.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the impacts of poor waste management:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Landfill Overload<\/h3>\n

Construction waste, when mismanaged, acts like a relentless flood. It keeps pouring into already brimming landfills. The overflow of waste can unleash many environmental hazards. It leads to toxic air and water pollution, which impacts wildlife and public health<\/a>. Meanwhile, methane, a potent greenhouse gas, worsens global warming.<\/p>\n

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Resource Depletion<\/h3>\n

Resources don\u2019t last forever. Poor management of construction waste leads to excessive material ordering and wastage. Too much timber use leads to deforestation and the churning up of land to find minerals disrupts ecosystems. And mass excavation also causes damage to soil quality while polluting water sources. This doesn\u2019t need to happen when we can control construction waste and use resources more efficiently.<\/p>\n

When managed properly vast amounts of construction waste can be recycled into recycled aggregates, these materials can be just as strong as the original \u2018pure\u2019 material.<\/p>\n

Read our beginner\u2019s guide to recycled aggregates ><\/a><\/p>\n

Energy Consumption<\/h3>\n

It takes energy to create and transport construction materials. You can envision poorly managed construction waste as a fuel supply that depletes as a project progresses. When materials are thrown into landfills, it\u2019s like pouring away all the spare fuel supply. Once thrown away, this supply can\u2019t be reused for your following projects.<\/p>\n

We can conserve energy and reduce environmental impact by optimising material usage. Combining this with effective waste management strategies<\/a> contributes to these efforts.<\/p>\n

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What are the Regulations for Construction Waste?<\/h2>\n

By now, you\u2019ll know the harm construction waste can cause. And UK regulators have made guidelines<\/a> to keep things under control.<\/p>\n

The most recent law includes the Environment Act 2021<\/a>. This lets national authorities make their own regulations in the industry. The goal of this act is to cut all avoidable waste by 2050.<\/p>\n

The regulations are far-reaching and affect all those involved in the construction industry. They aim to improve air quality, biodiversity, water waste reduction, and resource efficiency. Methods they use include good waste management, recycling, and safe disposal practices.<\/p>\n

These regulations will have a significant impact on you if you\u2019re in the construction industry. You\u2019ll need to keep up with admin, logistics, technology, and finances to stay ahead.<\/p>\n

Get in touch with ETM Recycling<\/a> for expert management and advice on construction waste.<\/p>\n

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How do You Dispose of Construction Waste?<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll need to properly dispose of construction waste to meet the regulations. There are several ways to do this, including:<\/p>\n

Waste Minimisation<\/h3>\n

First, you\u2019ll need to reduce how much waste you generate.<\/p>\n

You can do this by careful planning:<\/p>\n