With the environment becoming an increasingly popular topic of discussion, recycling construction materials is more important than ever. In addition to saving energy and decreasing consumption, recycling helps greatly benefit a construction business’s bottom line and provides an opportunity to achieve cost savings. These savings include the cost of new materials, and also transportation and disposal costs. Some recycling organizations even charge less compared with conventional disposal methods. The use of recycled materials also results in energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.
Construction Companies & Developers -Learning That Recycling is Beneficial For the Entire Industry
Traditionally, construction and demolition waste has been disposed of in landfills. However, this has a negative environmental impact, contaminating underground water and surrounding habitats. Construction waste causes significant damage, since it accounts for about one-third of all waste nationwide. Some materials even lead to a negative impact on health and the environment if they are simply disposed of as landfills. For example, lead in contact with water makes the water toxic. Plasterboard in landfills releases hydrogen sulfide, which is a poisonous gas.
Recycling construction materials’ main two environmental benefits are energy savings and landfill waste reduction. Recycling decreases the consumption of natural resources to produce new materials thus saving vast amounts of energy. For example, if all the concrete and asphalt waste generated annually in the US were recycled, it would save the energy equivalent of 1 billion gallons of gasoline. And with landfills filling up, alternative ways to manage waste must be developed. By recycling construction waste, it eliminates the need to send waste to landfill sites and can be reused as it is, or turned into something new. By processing hazardous waste properly toxic build-up is minimized in the environment.
What Benefit is Recycling to Construction Companies?
Construction companies that recycle materials have a competitive advantage, due to the increasing importance of green building and environmental preservation. Recycling can help building owners earn points for LEED certification (LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership) which is the most popular green building rating system. The processing and use of recycled materials impact the communities you work in. Whether it’s creation of jobs to the local steel mill or recycling center, or using tax funds more economically through their purchase, recycling puts more money into local economies. That could potentially mean more business for you when the next big project rolls around.
What Construction Materials Can Be Recycled?
By recycling the solid waste materials on your construction or demolition site, you’re able to help ensure a better price for supplies not just for yourself, but for the entire industry. And we’re not just talking about scrap metal either. Nearly 90% of C&D waste can be recycled. That includes not just the glass and plastic you toss in a blue bin at home, but also masonry-like concrete and bricks, plumbing fixtures, certain types of drywall, and even asphalt. All of these materials can be used in new building construction, making the process a lot more affordable. There are many construction materials that can be recycled. The following are some examples:
1) Masonry for reuse in your construction or for crushing to make road bases
2) Windows, doors, and roofing (where reusable) for use in other habitations
3) Appliances and fixtures, including sinks and baths, for refitting elsewhere
4) Lumber and wood products (where reusable) for reuse, or conversion to mulch or biomass fuel
5) Metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper can be sent to local metal scrap yards where they can be reused
6) Vegetation and trees for replanting if feasible, or for biomass fuel
7) Paper/Cardboard for pulping, Paper and cardboard can easily be recycled and repurposed
8) Plastic crates/containers, bags, and sheets (where reusable)
9) Asphalt pavement, Recycling leftover asphalt produces massive energy savings and is usually crushed and recycled back into asphalt
So Where Can You Turn With Your Construction Waste Recycle Needs?
Carolina Waste Group LLC is small enough to care about your individual recycling needs but large enough to service them. Carolina Waste Group is a privately held company with its principles having over 70 years of experience in the Recycling and Solid Waste Industry. At CWG we pride ourselves in always thinking outside the box when looking at your individual needs. We are not just another typical trash company. We are a single-source service provider for your Recycling and Waste Disposal needs with a primary focus of landfill avoidance and Recycling.
