Waste from industry can be reduced

Mar 13 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

WHEN times are hard we all have to tighten our belts. That often means using what we have to our best advantage and cutting down on waste.

The old adage of waste not, want not is particularly poignant for the construction industry.

We are the single largest user of material resources in the UK economy. But the damning facts show that our industry wastes an astonishing £1.5bn a year in unused materials – lost cash that could easily be converted into profit with some sensible housekeeping.

Achieving good practice waste reduction and recovery can help contractors comply with legislation and deliver cost savings that substantially outweigh the effort of delivery.

WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has launched Construction Commitments: Halving Waste to Landfill, a voluntary agreement that provides a framework for waste reduction.

The campaign helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change.

And with more than 50 organisations now signed up to the scheme, it seems that a growing proportion of the sector is recognising and pursuing these benefits.

One example is working with groundworks contractors to find alternative uses for excavation material on and off site. Another waste-saving measure is teaming up with suppliers to secure materials that are the right size for purpose.

For instance, why purchase 3m sheets of plasterboard if they are for a building with storey heights of 2.7m.

Material specification is only one of the many ways that waste can be reduced by contractors.

Other measures include ‘just in time’ materials delivery strategies, improved logistics and on-site housekeeping practices such as designated storage areas and segregated vehicle and pedestrian routes.

These reduce the amount of material damaged and reduce the over-ordering of materials, which, despite the fact that they can account for as much as 10% of the total materials ordered, often end up in a skip unused.

The majority of contractors could most likely achieve a 50% reduction in waste sent to landfill from sites, but only if their waste contractor partners are committed to the target as well.