Table of Contents
- Use Eco-Friendly Equipment
- Reduce Waste
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Use Materials and Equipment Efficiently
- Look for Opportunities to Go Green
- Educate Your Team
Prioritizing sustainability in construction is a critical responsibility in an ever-changing environment. With the arrival of spring, the construction industry is due for a strategic shift toward sustainability. The warmer weather and increased daylight hours create an excellent opportunity for instituting eco-friendly practices on your construction site.
Buildings take up over half of the world’s natural resources throughout their life cycle. As the world works toward a greener future, it’s crucial to understand that the construction industry plays an important role.
Implementing more eco-friendly construction practices will benefit the environment and can help in saving your construction business money, time, and resources in the long run.
Use Eco-Friendly Equipment
It’s crucial to use advanced, energy-efficient equipment on the jobsite. Energy consumption can account for a lot of the budget on construction sites. Conducting an energy audit would be helpful in determining which equipment saves the most energy.
Choosing energy-efficient equipment is eco-friendly and can help you stay up to date with compliance standards and regulations. It also enables you to significantly decrease emissions, conserve energy, and minimize resource depletion.
Hybrid models of construction equipment are becoming increasingly popular because of their eco-friendly attributes. For example, the JLG Equipment H340AJ Hybrid features four electric-drive motors. This boom lift runs completely on 8 x 12v 100 amp-hour AGM batteries powered by a Tier-4 Final diesel-powered generator.
By choosing models like this, you are reducing fuel use, emissions, noise, and maintenance, without sacrificing quality.
Reduce Waste
According to the Bureau of Transportation, construction and demolition activities produce nearly a quarter of the total waste generated in the U.S. By taking steps to reduce your waste at each construction site, you are participating in a collective effort to lower this number.
When it comes to waste management, there are a few key factors: segregation, recycling and reuse, and proper disposal. A thorough waste-management procedure is important to have in place as it can be used as a guide for the workers to determine what can and can’t be reused. Items that can be recycled and reused should be stored separately from those that need to go to the landfill.
Calculating the exact amount of materials you need for a project is another crucial eco-friendly practice. Taking this extra step is helpful to the environment and enables you to streamline your supply chain while preventing over-ordering.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Implementing a waste reduction program is extremely helpful for the environment as well. Taking the time to separate out recyclables and reusables from the rest of the waste will enable you to take smaller loads to the landfill, reducing your carbon footprint.
Mercury is one of the most dangerous types of construction waste. Items like old paint, fluorescent lamps, neon lamps, smoke detectors, and cathode ray tubes are a few examples of mercury-laced construction waste. Any waste with mercury in it should be properly disposed of by an agency that has the right skills and knowledge to do so safely.
Use Materials and Equipment Efficiently
Efficient use of powered equipment, as well as turning it off when not in use, are great ways to conserve energy on jobsites. If a job is completed in a timely and efficient manner, it contributes to an overall lower carbon footprint. Also make sure to be mindful about the materials you are using on the jobsite; only use what you need. If you have extra materials, save them for the next project instead of throwing them away. Capitalizing on opportunities like these to reduce waste and lower your carbon footprint will give you a clear conscience and a fuller wallet.
Look for Opportunities to Go Green
When it comes to sustainability, every phase of construction matters. To ensure your project is eco-friendly, project designers can do the following:
- Make sure a site is being used to its fullest potential.
- Maximize the use of renewable energy in the building.
- Strategize ways to conserve water.
On the site, contractors can do the following to ensure it is an eco-friendly one:
- Use up-to-date tools that don't consume much power.
- Conserve the energy in the job site trailer by installing a thermostat and positioning the trailer to get the most out of the sunlight.
- Conserve energy by setting up temporary lights with energy-efficient LED bulbs that can be turned off at night.
Educate Your Team
Not only is it important for your team to have the required tools and equipment to get the job done, but they should also be informed on ways to improve their work in an environmentally friendly way.
Consider providing training programs for your employees to educate them on waste reduction strategies. Searching for opportunities to inspire a sustainable culture among your team can have a significant impact on reducing your company’s carbon footprint.
Take the time to inform your team of the benefits of implementing eco-friendly construction practices. If your team knows the reasons behind your policies and practices, they are more likely to become active participants. Sustainability is a team effort.
Work Toward a Sustainable Future
Springtime presents the perfect opportunity to start the conversation about sustainability within your construction company. With education, collective action, intentional use of materials, green equipment, and proper waste disposal, you can reduce your carbon footprint and make strides toward a sustainable future.
Leppo Rents can help you save the things that mean the most to your company: your money, your time, and the environment. Contact us today to learn about our hybrid, electric, and eco-friendly equipment and tools!
