How to eco dispose of builders' waste
If you're in any big city, and you've got builders in, you can't ignore the question of where will the waste from your project go? So work with your builders to minimise landfill waste
The good news is many local authorities have tough environmental standards builders have to meet, but there are still unscrupulous firms who will dump waste where no-one's looking. What's much better is for householder and builder to work together to minimise waste and to plan where it can go so it can be put to good use, or do the least harm.
Reuse and repurpose
Reuse any builders' waste that you can. Many people fail to realize a lot of building materials that get thrown out can still be useful. This is why it's important to go through as many of the materials that you can to see if there is anything that can be used in one way or another. As long as materials are in good shape (for example bricks or pieces of wood) tthere's an excellent chance they can be used again.
Offer reusable materials to others
If you have a lot of potentially useful materials that you don't need, then offer them to others. Put an ad of freecycle, for example, or other online classified sites. You'll be surprised at how many people will come and pick up materials such as old window frames and floorboards. It is a wonderful way to get your site cleaned up and help keep the waste out of landfills. Keeping similar materials grouped is a simple way for people to find and take what they can use from your location.
Dispose of harmful materials properly
Dealing with waste that can't be recycled or may be toxic can be tough to get rid of in an eco-friendly way. When sorting through materials to see what can be recycled, be sure to keep unrecyclable and toxic items separate and consult your local authority on how to dispose of them. Be scrupulous - neither you or your builders should just drop materials into the 'non recyclable' hopper at the recycling centre and hope for the best.
Turn waste into fuel
Turning builders' waste into fuel is another thing that should be considered. For example, some types of wood that, such as wood used for framing, can be cut to size and used to fuel wood furnaces. Be certain wood you recycle is free of any additives that could be harmful if the wood is burned. Burning wood is modern efficient furnaces to generate heat can be a better option than leaving it to rot in landfill, where it will contribute to methane emissions.
Salvage materials on-site
Salvaging onsite is another option for ecologically-minded home and business owners. Machines can be hired to crush concrete, which in turn can be used for paths or driveways. Again, old lumber can be milled and cut to make items such as floorboards, paneling and doors. If you have the means to do this it is not only eco-friendly but can end up saving you money as well.
Incineration
Incinerating builders' waste when appropriate can also be an option. You need to be sure you are not burning any harmful materials or breaching pollution standards. Again, consult your local authority.
Hire professionals
If your builder is short on vans and time, consider hiring an experienced builders' waste clearance company. They can clean up all the waste left after a building job and ensure it's disposed of in the most environmentally-friendly and responsible way. They will also know how to ensure good materials are re-used or repurposed.
