Construction work is loud, dirty, and filled with chemicals. Nevertheless, it is often necessary, and if you need to build or take down anything, you will need to get dirty; there is no way around it. If you’re working on a commercial construction site, chances are you’re probably surrounded by construction waste, such as wire, wood, bricks, and even construction dirt. It may not be pretty, but it’s an indispensable part of the construction process. However, there are ways in which you can make it more bearable by getting rid of the accumulated waste as it appears.
What Is Construction Waste?
Construction waste is a wide variety of products and waste materials generated by construction work. It can be found in the construction site, during the construction and demolition of buildings, and during the refurbishment of existing buildings. These materials can come in many forms, such as:
- Concrete.
- Asphalt.
- Bricks.
- Wood.
- Plastic.
- Metals.
There are hundreds of types of construction waste, with each type having its unique characteristics. The most significant distinguishing factor between each type of construction waste is how it is generated. Some forms of debris can be recycled, which will be discussed later in the article, but most of it will be destined for the landfill. Depending on your location, there might even be different laws that govern how you can dispose of it. For example, waste disposal in Lawrenceville might be regulated in another way to that of perhaps Portland, OR. This difference can come about the various weather conditions and how near populated areas the work is being done.
Ultimately, it is the person’s responsibility in charge of the construction site as to what the relevant codes are. If they are not followed, it could result in sears legal action. But what are some ways to clear the site of debris and in a way that respects the law?
Cleaning Services
Believe it or not, but there are specialist services that provide labor to clear a worksite of the general residue that has a habit of accumulating. You could hire these companies to come in at the end of the job to clear it all away, or you could have them shadow you as the work is being done. The second option is often the best because it allows you to keep your site clear and hazard-free.
Rent a Dumpster
A dumpster is often the most cost-effective way of clearing debris. They are essentially large metal trash containers delivered on the back of a truck and taken away once filled. The main advantages over the other options include:
- Affordable: They are far cheaper than other alternatives, especially when you factor in transportation costs.
- They are brought directly to your location: You tell them where you want it, and the dumpster company will deliver it.
- You know that you will dispose of the waste correctly: These companies are often regulated and need to prove where they will dispose of the trash.
- They can carry vast amounts of waste: This benefit increases as the job become more extensive, but overall, it is handy to have such a large container.
- Eco-friendly: Some waste removal companies will sift through the waste and separate the recyclable materials from the rest. This can then be sold on to be reused.
- Compliance with waste regulations: As long as you have hired a waste disposal company to deal with your waste, you should be covered.
- Overall efficiency: You can dump and forget; it’s that easy. The time you will save by not worrying about getting rid of the discarded material is worth its weight in gold.
Material Donation
One final option could be to donate some of the materials to people in need. It may sound peculiar, but someone else can use all of the waste again; it is only waste because it might happen to be an offcut of something you are building. However, as long as the offcut can still be used elsewhere, it could be a good idea to donate it. You can usually find out places that need materials by checking in your local community centers or checking out recycling websites.
The best thing is that people will often pick up this material themselves. However, you should be aware that this is only really an option if you are doing some simple construction by yourself. As soon as it becomes more extensive, you will probably create more waste than you can give away.
Construction waste is the waste material created during the building and demolition process and is not considered hazardous. However, it can be dangerous if it is improperly disposed of. By looking at how you can efficiently remove this waste for the construction site, you will improve efficiency and even profitability (for larger projects).
