Steps Toward Zero Waste for Contractors and Builders

January 8, 2013

In previous blog articles we offered some C&D Recycling Insights. NERC's new Moving towards Zero Waste & Cost Savings – A Roadmap for Builders & Contractors for Construction & Demolition Projects takes it a step further to offer a roadmap toward "zero waste."

Zero waste is a path that can lead to savings and profit. Zero waste does not actually mean "zero waste," as some think. Instead it is a goal and en route to that goal, great change and value can be achieved. And, contractors can realize cost reductions by following this path. Zero waste in construction and remodeling projects focuses on looking for opportunities:

• Generating less waste by using materials more efficiently – saves money;
• Reusing materials on site, or selling or donating them to someone else for reuse – cost containment, potential revenues or tax benefits; and
• Recycling whenever possible – might save you money and could even bring in revenue.

Zero waste in construction and remodeling is a win-win proposition, and not as hard to do as you might think.

Understanding the Materials & the Opportunities

The essential step in moving towards zero waste in construction and demolition is to develop a thorough appreciation of what materials will be used or generated onsite and to identify opportunities for new ways to approach them.

• • Are there ways that the amount of materials used can be decreased?
• • Can anything be reused or re-purposed onsite?
• • Will any of the materials have reuse value to someone else?
• • How about recycling? Are the materials recyclable?

An effective strategy for assessing and understanding these opportunities is to go through the process of developing a Materials Management, or Waste Minimization Plan. This is a straight forward process that draws on the type of analysis and research you already do for any project, but adds some new twists.

Materials Management Planning

Prior to the start of a project, engage the property owner (manager or developer), architect, and essential crew members and subcontractors in the development of a Materials Management Plan. Each plan will be unique, but should reflect the following decisions about waste minimization, reuse, and recycling:

• Waste minimization and recycling goals;
• Waste minimization strategies to be implemented;
• Materials to be reused and recycled—on or off-site;
• Expected quantity of each reusable, salvageable, and/or recyclable materials;
• Estimated costs and savings as a result of the proposed plan;
• Hazardous materials management;
• Plan and process for materials collection, storage, and hauling;
• Methods for tracking weight or volume, destination, and end–uses of all reused and recycled materials; and
• An education plan about reuse and recycling for everyone working at the jobsite.

Waste Minimization & Recycling Goals

Starting with a goal will help guide the decision-making process, as well as provide direction for subcontractors and suppliers. It is also provides a baseline for measuring how well the project succeeded with waste minimization and recycling. This provides you with "boasting rights." As will be discussed in the final section of this document, in addition to the cost savings and environmental good that is achieved through waste minimization and recycling, it positions your business in a unique niche that can benefit your overall business development. Being able to prove that you have succeeded in the past is therefore essential. Having a goal and measuring your results provides that proof.

An example of a goal could be: To have no more than xx [roll-offs or tons] from the jobsite go to disposal while reusing or recycling at least x% of what is generated.

The goal should be something that you truly consider to be achievable, but that passes the "straight face" test. For example, a goal that stated "to see if we can reduce our waste" while worthwhile, does not give you a true basis for measurement.

Waste Minimization Strategies

Waste minimization includes:

• Using only those materials that you need;
• Decreasing the amount of material that has to be disposed of as trash; and
• Diverting materials from disposal to reuse or recycling.

Minimizing what you need to buy and planning to use these materials efficiently is the first step to avoid waste. There are many effective strategies to achieve this; all of which also lead to cost savings and increased profitability. Consider the following strategies; many of which you may already be part of your regular practices, but new ideas may occur to you as you move through this list. In all instances, apply the old adage "measure twice cut once" and avoid over-estimating and rounding-up the purchasing requirements.

Rounding-up leads to wasted money and wasted materials that you have to deal with at the end of the job.

In the Materials Management Plan, detail the strategies that you will use to achieve waste minimization. In other words, write down what you will intentionally do to avoid waste. This might seem unnecessary, but it provides a roadmap for the project and a resource that you can use for future projects. It also is a strategy that you can include in future marketing efforts; demonstrating that you intentionally approach projects from a waste minimization, cost savings, environmentally sustainable perspective. Some examples of statements you might include are:

• All cardboard on the site will be kept dry and recycled.
• All vendors will be asked to minimize the amount of packaging they use and to take-back packaging, such as pallets, for reuse.
• Left over roofing materials will either be donated to Habitat for Humanity or recycled.

A sample Materials Management Plan and Waste Management Strategy specifics are contained in Moving towards Zero Waste & Cost Savings – A Roadmap for Builders & Contractors for Construction & Demolition Projects.

More on C&D Zero Waste in an upcoming NERC blog!