Sustainability in construction – waste management and recycling
5 September 2023
How can we be better at sustainability in construction? It always starts with a good plan.
According to the World Green Building Council, buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions: 28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them; and the remaining 11% from materials and construction.
There are, however, significant opportunities for reduction of that carbon footprint by implementing smart construction methodologies and construction waste management strategies.
The following table shows average wastage percentages for a number of construction materials according to the Institute of Structural Engineers.
| Material/product | Waste rate (%) |
| Concrete in situ | 5% |
| Concrete precast (beams and frames) | 1% |
| Steel reinforcement | 5% |
| Steel frame | 1% |
| Blockwork | 20% |
| Brick | 20% |
| Timber frames (beams, columns, braces) | 1% |
| Timber floors (joists, boards) | 10% |
| Plasterboard | 22.5% |
A Construction Sustainability plan should should cover all phases of construction and consider end of life impact. A recycling plan should be in place for any demolition work – bricks and blocks can be crushed into rubble and used as hardcore for road filling. Glass and metal can be repurposed, and a good waste management strategy should also include packaging – everything that comes in on returnable pallets and boxes can be returned to the supplier.
In the future, it is likely that carbon capture technology will reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, but in the meantime, we can implement strategies that help to reduce waste. For example, the waste factor for precast concrete is approximately 5% less than concrete made in situ and this does not account for the other benefits of speed and reduction of overall installation time when compared to onsite concrete pouring.
It is also important to consider end of life factors – implementing a demountable strategy to reuse or repurpose elements of your factory can reduce the amount of carbon embodied in the building. Identify elements that will improve the end of life of a building and have a high chance of recovery, both improving the building’s sustainability and increasing ROI.
DDK can support in developing a sustainable approach to your next construction project, contact us for an initial discussion.