When developing construction projects, contractors should take care to encourage environmentally-friendly practices. These practices often add a few extra steps to ensure compliance. Yet, they are very beneficial to the environment.
Although building greener might sound like a lot of work, there are a lot of things you can do to make your site more sustainable.
Prevent erosion
Sustainable contractors have a responsibility to protect and maintain the surrounding environment.
One way construction site owners can protect nearby areas is to implement erosion control methods on their sites. For example, contracting companies can use control blankets and partner with a seed supplier to return root support to the surrounding areas. This will help replenish the soil and prevent erosion on and around your site.
Educate your staff
The most crucial aspect of running an environmentally-friendly construction project is educating your staff.
Telling your staff where to dispose of things and how is essential. However, you should also explain the reasoning behind sustainable practices. To ensure maximum compliance, each team member should be well-versed in all relevant site protocols, tools, and standards.
Make local suppliers a priority
Transportation and delivery impacts on the environment can be pretty high on construction sites.
To minimize your carbon footprint, consider prioritizing local suppliers instead of suppliers from out of town. This will allow your site to utilize less fuel while getting your supplies. Not to mention, patronizing local businesses can make the locals a bit more welcoming to your project.
Practice responsible waste disposal
Traditionally, construction sites would have multiple bins for each type of waste. However, through haulers, construction companies can more efficiently sort their waste. This allows for a significantly higher recycling rate, often instantaneously. For example, demolished concrete can be crushed and reused on-site to avoid transporting in new batches of concrete.
Use alternative building materials
The days of strictly concrete and steel buildings are slowly ending. Now, contractors can opt for alternative building materials that are better for the environment.
Recycled materials are easy to access and are used widely in building materials. The same goes for varieties of sustainable wood, such as bamboo. Alternatives to traditional concrete, including hempcrete and grasscrete, can also help increase your job site’s sustainability.
Effectively manage runoff
Preventing runoff from your construction site is crucial in maintaining the nearby water supply. When setting up your site, install silt fencing around the area. This can help contain construction runoff that would otherwise overwhelm the local sewer system.
You can also encourage clean runoff by using walk-off mats that remove chemicals and other particles from shoes that could contaminate the groundwater.
Wrapping up
Improving sustainability at construction sites might seem like a tall order and somewhat unattainable. However, using the tips outlined here, you can start and maintain an environmentally-friendly construction project. All it requires is the proper preparation, resources, and cooperation from all people involved.
Once you have those things in place, you’ll be on your way to preserving the environment around you.
