Home Office Cleanout, York PA
July 7, 2020Estate Cleanout, York
July 24, 2020In the United States, construction waste makes up about one-third of all trash nationwide. Many tons of this waste are headed for the country’s landfills and any effort to minimize this waste is important. All construction projects involve excavations and demolitions, and from a small home renovation project to a large commercial build, construction waste will happen. A licensed waste management company can deal with the construction waste removal.
Construction sites need this refuse to be removed regularly with minimal disruption to building activities. We at Little Green Junk Company can assist you with the collection and disposal of your construction waste in the York, Lancaster, and Harrisburg areas. We are a professional, construction junk hauling company, and we dispose of this junk in a responsible manner.
Dealing with Construction Waste
About a quarter of construction materials used on an average construction project will become waste. If this is added to the large amount of trash generated during demolition, it becomes clear that these amounts will pose a problem to our environment, and as much of this waste as possible should be kept out of our landfills.
If the emphasis is placed on deconstruction instead of demolition, more usable materials will be recovered, less waste will be generated, and consequently less landing up in landfills.
Below are a few ways of reusing and recycling construction debris.
- Lumber and wood can be reused or recycled or can be converted to mulch or biomass fuel.
- Masonry, including old bricks, cement, and chunks of concrete, can be crushed and used in the bases for roads, paths and any leveling out of surfaces.
- Metal and steel scrap can be recycled for smelting and converting to other products.
- All paper packaging and cardboard can be sent for recycling to be pulped.
- Plastic containers, crates, and plastic sheets for recycling.
- Any glass waste can be recycled
It is important to separate construction waste that may contain hazardous materials that have a negative effect on health and the environment, and these require specialist disposal techniques. Your junk removal company will be able to assist you with these. Some of these hazardous materials are:
- Cables that are contaminated with oil, coal, or tar.
- Any insulation or other material containing asbestos or gypsum.
- Any oil-based paints or varnishes, and their removers.
Reducing Your Construction Debris
This waste management hierarchy shows the steps applicable before disposing of waste. Materials that are reusable or recyclable will be removed before final disposal of the construction waste.
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycle
- Dispose
This method of organization of construction waste is considered industry best practice. Implementing these steps before disposal, will ensure that the amount of construction waste generated be reduced as much as possible.
How to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Construction Waste
Reduce where you can and look for ways of reusing or recycling before disposing.
- Reduce waste through building to standard dimensions and careful buying. The less you need to cut pipes and supports to the required size for example, the less wastage you will generate. You will also save time and effort. Items ordered using standard dimensions also make reusing easier if you have any materials left over.
- Reuse as many materials as possible like doors, windows, and roof tiles. You can also reuse appliances and fixtures such as sinks and baths for refitting elsewhere. Take care when removing these items so as not to damage them.
- Recycling construction waste such as metal, paper, plastic, and glass. Encourage the construction teams to cooperate with you in your recycling efforts by offering them incentives. Your waste management contractor such as Little Green Junk Company can assist you with your efforts.
Once these steps of reduce, reuse, and recycle have been followed, here are some ways of organizing responsible, sustainable disposal of construction waste.
- Prevent the illegal dumping of construction refuse by following the rules and regulations that are in place. The Little Green Junk Company is a professional trash removal company that will ensure your construction debris is disposed of legally, and will not land up in the wrong place.
- Minimization is the practice that prevents waste from being generated in the first place, following the reduce, reuse, and recycle hierarchy.
- Recovery is when waste products are reused to make other useful products and can lead to saving money.
Who Can Help Reduce Construction Debris?
It is important to include everyone involved in the building project to assist in reducing construction waste. There are many experts involved and their cooperation will make your task easier.
- The developers of a new project will be on board to keep costs under control, and any way of helping them cut costs will motivate them to adopt a waste management plan that includes reducing, reusing, and recycling. They shoulder most of the investment risk and this makes them open to suggestions of cost savings.
- The architect has a duty to keep waste percentages vs construction costs under control and will be acutely aware of the need to prevent these costs running out of control.
- The designers of the project have knowledge of new ‘green’ technology, building materials, and practices that can reduce usage of materials, or use materials that are more sustainable.
- It is important to involve all contractors like builders and others at the beginning of a project before any demolition has even started, to encourage them to buy into a waste management plan that will reduce construction waste. Uncontrolled demolition will generate construction waste at a level that will dent any budget.
- City officials enforce rules that govern the disposal of construction waste, so it is important to ensure compliance with this legislation. This legislation is also in place to protect our environment which benefits everyone.
Benefits of Reducing Levels of Construction Debris
- An effective construction waste removal and management plan enforced in a project by all stakeholders to reduce waste, will keep costs in check and ensure its profitability.
- Reducing the levels of construction waste will keep waste out of our landfills and keep our environment clean.
- Our communities will benefit by waste being disposed of in a more sustainable and responsible manner.
Why Choose Little Green Junk Company?
At Little Green Junk Company, we specialize in the collection and disposal of all kinds of waste. We can remove your construction waste and debris in the York, Lancaster, and Harrisburg areas efficiently, and at a time to suit you. We are a licensed waste removal company and you can be assured we are as committed to keeping our environment clean as you are. Please contact us at 717 467 0070 for a free, transparent, no obligation quote. We look forward to hearing from you.