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Recycle construction waste at site (separation practices)
HEAVY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Segment Family Class
72
14
0
SDG Alignment
11. Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
SDG Target
11.6
Target Description
By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
Level of Effort
Level of Effort Scale
1
1 -Quick Wins: solution involves adding criteria for the good or service being purchased (ex: certifications), minimal internal process changes.
2 -Long Term Adoption: solution requires some changes to internal processes and/or more capital investment (ex: digital transformation to reduce paper use).
3 – Disruptive Opportunities: requires significant investment and changes to internal processes (ex: retrofitting building)
Category Assessment
Assessment
• Assess the current recycling practices followed.
• Evaluate all materials used in construction and classify them into different categories (recyclable and non-recyclable).
• Calculate the current spend on the waste management process.
• Align with suppliers to allocate a specific sum towards implementing an on-site separation and recycling initiative beneficial for both parties.
• Contact and request assistance from local construction recycling services available for consultation on best practices.
Opportunity Identification
Business:
Reduce on-site material hauling and disposal costs by working with recyclers to accept materials (for a lower charge) that can be recycled—scope to build brand image.
Sustainability:
High energy savings from decreased consumption of natural resources and reduced waste materials sent to landfills.
Strategy Build & Execution
• Align stakeholders with the established goals, targets, and benefits of an on-site materials recycling program, which can be done through short training programs.
• Develop the on-site separation program to classify the materials based on their recyclability (initial training and efforts to be provided).
• Align with suppliers to procure quality materials from suppliers that meet certain quality control specifications which would reduce the number of rejects or defects, which would add to the waste material pile.
• Collect and dispose of materials at the nearest construction recycling center identified.
Supplier Negotiation & Contract
• Training to be included in the contract and have clear expectations that all contractors should enroll in a training program for on-site separation practices.
• During negotiations leverage the point to build competition by requiring other construction companies to develop a trial program that expands their sustainability portfolio that clients can benefit from.
• Leverage your business's experience to implement a material recycling program for the contractor into the contract with them.
Supplier Performance & Management
• Monthly follow up with contractors on training certifications for on-site materials recycling programs to ensure being used as a regular practice.
• Track and monitor the monthly reporting system to outline and record the quantity of materials recycled, disposal costs and energy costs as a part of this initiative.
• Schedule quarterly meetings to discuss with all internal stakeholders the findings and gather feedback from each team on benefits, challenges and scope for improvement.
• Annual meetings with contractors or suppliers to discuss new technologies, quality recyclable materials or programs that compliment this initiative to make it more efficient.
Resource Links
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