Typically, the production of wastes in the construction industry can never be avoided. This is especially true for building companies whose job is to construct different types of buildings, facilities, properties, and other related projects.
But, aside from the actual construction processes they handle, they’re also responsible for the disposal of their wastes properly.
It involves the process of moving the debris and other unwanted materials to a place wherein they can’t cause any environmental issues. That way, they can protect the environment by limiting how much wastes are being sent to landfills each day.
Keep reading this article to learn the building company’s guide to properly disposing of construction wastes.
Table of Contents
1) Identify The Type of Construction Wastes First
Before doing the actual disposal process, it’s important for the building company to identify the types of construction wastes they’re dealing with. That way, they’ll have an idea about the methods to use to ensure proper disposal of the unwanted materials in the construction site.
Primarily, construction wastes are divided into two categories, namely, the non-hazardous wastes and the hazardous wastes. Non-hazardous wastes are those which can’t cause harm to humans or the environment. These can include any rubbish that isn’t hazardous.
On the other hand, hazardous wastes are those wastes that can be harmful to human and environmental health. As such, these materials should be treated and disposed of based on the rules and regulations provided by the state.
The common examples of hazardous wastes can include adhesives, resins, asbestos-containing products, lead-based paint, mercury-containing items, and many more.
2) Donate, Reuse, Or Recycle Non-Hazardous Wastes
When it comes to non-hazardous construction wastes, a building company can consider some effective disposal methods, including donating and recycling.
Since there are waste materials in the construction site that may be helpful to other people, donating them can be one of the best ways of disposing of them for good. These can include old home décor items and home appliances that are still in good working condition.
Aside from donating, a building company can also dispose of some non-hazardous wastes by reusing them. For example, old tiles, bricks, and other useful construction materials can be reused again by anyone doing their DIY projects.
Moreover, for other construction waste materials that can’t be donated or reused, recycling can be an excellent method of getting rid of them.
Once the building company has determined which wastes are up for donation, reusing, or recycling, it’s time to call a legitimate junk removal company in their area for assistance.
They can pop over to these guys to handle the construction wastes they won’t be able to dispose of by themselves. That way, everything is removed from the site more efficiently and without any hassle.
3) Dispose Of Hazardous Wastes Safely
Unlike the non-hazardous materials, the hazardous ones should be disposed of properly and safely to avoid health and environmental repercussions. However, it’s important to note that they may require different methods of disposal. These can include:
- Lead-Based Construction Wastes: To dispose of lead-based wastes, you can start separating and storing them in containers. Make sure to collect the dirt, dust, and paint chips and put them in a bag. Once it’s done, talk to a solid waste agency or post-construction cleaning service in your area for the proper transportation and disposal. Besides, there are many reasons for hiring a cleaning service after the construction, and one of them is safety.
- Asbestos-Containing Materials: When it comes to getting rid of these construction wastes, it’s essential that they’re packed in leak-tight containers and disposed of in a licensed disposal site only. Also, due to the harmful effects of asbestos on one’s health and environment, its disposal process should be supervised by the environmental agency assigned in your area. This means that the entire packing, transportation, and disposal are under the supervision of the local authorities. That way, you can remove these wastes from the construction site safely and without getting into any legal trouble.
- Mercury-Containing Wastes: These materials can include smoke detectors, security systems, fluorescent lamps, exit signs, old paint, neon lamps, and many more. These should also be disposed of properly by isolating and taking them to a consolidation site or a mercury recycler. In doing so, it’s important not to remove the mercury from the items. For the packing, it’s advised to label the containers to ensure proper disposal. When it comes to fluorescent lamps and other related items, it’s best if they’re not crushed to avoid the release of mercury in the surroundings.
The Bottom Line
Indeed, disposing of construction wastes requires proper planning, preparation, and organization. When the building company is prepared and organized, it can maintain safety and comply with the rules and regulations provided by the state.
Therefore, for those who are starting and running a construction business, it’s best to keep this informative guide in mind. That way, waste disposal will be handled properly and safely.
