Five ways to make your construction site more sustainable

When we think of construction, it’s believed by many that the industry causes a lot of damage to the environment due to factors such as waste, a high carbon footprint, noise, and air pollution - and, as a result -  it is not sustainable. But what if there were ways that it could be? We take a look at five ideas for making construction sites more sustainable.

1. Reuse and Recycle waste 

The byproduct of construction is waste - whether that be rubble or unused materials, and these need to be disposed of once a job is completed. However, instead of taking it to a landfill site, you could reuse or recycle it. Materials such as metal masonry, plastics, plywood, glass, lumber, and others can all be recycled or even reused as materials for future construction projects. 

Doing this can save you a lot of money and is better for the environment. Recycling companies have recently noticed a change in corporate attitudes to waste disposal and recycling across the board. There has been greater emphasis placed on finding ‘greener’ alternatives, particularly Corporate Social Responsibilities. This has lead to an uptake in recycling services and more local waste disposal. 

2. Prevent chemical run-off

Construction sites are prone to having chemical leaks which cause harm to the environment. This happens more frequently if a construction site is not managed in the way it should. As a result, it is important that you make sure to protect local soil and water sources while in the construction phase. 

To achieve this, silt fences can be used to prevent soil from being washed away, and if there are any contaminants near the site, make sure they are away from any water sources, as this not only impacts the water itself but also any potential wildlife that inhabits it. 

3. Use sustainable building materials 

One of the best ways to make your construction site or business more sustainable and environmentally friendly is to use sustainable building materials. These are often less expensive than traditional building materials, meaning overall costs will be reduced. Examples of sustainable building materials include Geo-textiles and other crop-made products, concrete reinforced with natural fibres such as timber and bamboo, and straw bales. 

4. Digitise your business

Digitising things like plans and drawings is another way to improve sustainability in the construction industry due to the large amount of paper used in physical copies. UK construction companies in particular have welcomed technological innovations looking to lead the way forward in 2021. Digitising will also help to cut down on litter and reduce the risk of important documentation being lost. 

5. More efficient transport 

Construction transport leaves a large carbon footprint. To help reduce this, you can manage your fleet more efficiently by working out the best routes to take in terms of journey time and distance so that your carbon footprint remains as small as possible. It also may be a good idea to consider how many journeys you make, decreasing them where possible. For example, sometimes you can complete a task in one journey rather than two, and so on. This will help increase the sustainability of both your construction business and the site too. 

With the right techniques, time, and effort, it is possible for construction sites and businesses to improve their impact on the environment. It just takes a few changes, which, once made, will have huge benefits.