Construction waste types and recycling titbits

Construction waste types and recycling titbits

The need to accommodate a sky-rocketing population is increasing day by day, and the far-off hinterlands are now potential sites of construction work. As a result, the construction business is getting a boom, and so is its potential to harm the environment. 

In this article, we will look at the types of building or construction wastes and look at ways in which they can be neutralized as potential threats to the environment. 

Usually, building waste refers to any matter or substance involved in building work. The work can involve both demolition/renovation and construction. The waste can come from a mixed source like road works, demolition, excavation, refurbishment, renovation construction, and site clearance. 

As the need for construction is soaring, so is the need for waste management. You can click on this link to know about a company https://jumbocorp.com.au/ called Jumbo Corp, which is doing effective work in collecting and recycling building wastes in a hustle-free way. 

Types of building wastes

Let’s first discuss the types of building wastes, and then we will get back to the importance of recycling. 

Dredging Materials

This type of waste concerns the preparation time of any building activity. Some examples include stumps, rocks, dirt, and tree, etc.

Asbestos and Insulation Materials

Gaskets, floor backing, asphalt roofing, tiles, wall insulation, pipes, ceiling, and ceiling tiles normally contain asbestos. They are also sprayed on fireproofing and used in thermal pipe insulation. So, these are very dangerous, and thus they form hazardous building waste adversely affecting the environment. 

Ceramic, concrete, bricks, and tiles

These are the most common building wastes. However, they are also the list hazardous. However, concrete and ceramics, along with brick tiles, can cause hazards with hazardous materials. 

Also, one can perform recycling on bricks and concrete and convert them to rubbles which can further be sued elsewhere. 

Plastic, Glass, and Wood

Plastic is a non-biodegradable waste and needs recycling for better, non-hazardous usage. These wastes include PVC siding, PVC, Styrofoam insulation, plastic sheet, plumbing pipe, etc. 

If any construction event includes demolition of windows or doors or any parts of the house, these types of wastes can be generated. 

Wood wastes include shavings, sawdust, dimensional lumber, chip wood, and plywood. 

However, the good part about these wastes is companies can do that recycling. 

Other types of waste include metallic waste, cement, adhesives, varnishes, sealants, paints, etc. 

So, the hazard content is measured depending on whether one can recycle it or not. 

Recycling Importance

Now, why do you think recycling is important? The 3Rs are an essential part of waste management. Reuse, Reduce and Recycle play a vital role in solid waste management. The threefold uses of recycling include- 

Reducing demand for innovative resources 

Cutting down production and transportation costs

Putting wastes to use

Reducing the burden on landfills

However, due to the lack of infrastructure which can facilitate recycling, the process suffers a setback. Also, appropriate technology is not cost-effective, and lack of it results in the absence of recycling. 

Final Thoughts

However, despite several setbacks, companies and municipalities are considerably working to facilitate the recycling of materials. With the increasing environmental protection awareness, these needs and implementations will also increase. 

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