From sourcing the construction materials, hauling these materials to the construction site, to the disposal of waste generated by the construction, the industry has contributed a lot to the degradation of the environment. If you see a high-rise building in the city, you may be wowed by its beauty and engineering prowess. Have you ever stopped and wondered what constructing it means for the environment? Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to reduce the impact of construction on the environment.
The use of precast concrete walls in Utah or another state, for example, can significantly reduce the cost of transporting materials to the construction site. This means that there is less time spent on building the walls and less waste generated than forming the walls from scratch. Precast concrete walls are a fast and cost-effective building solution. Not to mention that it is also extraordinarily environmentally friendly because it absorbs unwanted compounds such as carbon dioxide.
Limit the Usage of Fuel
The biggest impact of construction projects on the environment is the burning of fossil fuels such as diesel and gas. When 16-wheeler trucks bring construction materials to a site, their gas emission of methane, carbon dioxide, and other harmful chemicals pollute the air and negatively affects the ozone layer. It contributes greatly to global warming. Minimizing the distance in hauling construction materials will do a great deal of good, as well as using greener machinery, reducing vehicle idle time, and using hybrid equipment.
Reduce Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is a real threat to the environment and to animals’ way of life. Construction sites are some of the noisiest areas of a city or a neighborhood. The sound mostly comes from the operation of the machinery and the demolition of an existing structure. It disrupts not only the normal way of life for people near the construction site but also the natural habits of animals. Check the time restrictions in the area where the construction project will be done. Make sure to adhere to the rules.
Recycle or Dispose of Waste Properly
Every year, millions of tons of garbage are being generated by construction projects. A whopping 90% of these are incinerated or put in landfills, both of which are harmful to the environment. There are a lot of construction materials that can be recycled or reused. You can either sell it back to the contractor, donate it to another construction project, or find ways how to dispose of them properly.
Use Technology
Technologies such as building information modeling (BIM), 3-D printing, and construction software and automation reduce construction time and eliminate the instance of oversupply. All three of these technologies are already being used in construction firms not only because they have a limited impact on the environment but also because they reduce the cost of the project and maximize the productivity of the workers.
Although construction waste is expected to double in the next years, there are ways to minimize the severity of its impact on the environment. There might no absolute methods that will have zero effect on the environment as of now, but everyone is working to fulfill that goal of zero emissions. At least for now, companies must do their best to keep their sites and projects environmentally friendly.
