Construction Waste Materials

 

Introduction:

Construction is an industry that generates a variety of waste streams. This is understandable given the wide variety of materials utilized in construction. It is not easily to recognize the hazardous and non-hazardous waste both will most likely be used in construction projects. As a result, it's critical to understand the various waste types so you can identify them and dispose of them properly. Knowing what materials are harmful and how to operate around them is an important component of construction site safety.

Role of building materials:

Some of the most common types of materials used in construction are building materials. Construction projects come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. There will always be a usage of building materials, whether it is for basic construction, demolition, repair, or remodelling projects, and with that comes building material waste. Nails, wiring, insulation, rebar, wood, plaster, scrap metal, cement, and bricks are some of the most typical examples of these materials. When these materials end up in the trash, it's usually because they've been destroyed.   The good news is that a lot of these materials can be recycled. Wood is a material that may be reused in a variety of ways. Wood debris can be salvaged and repurposed for new construction projects at any time. Although the disposal of these types of garbage is usually very simple, it is nevertheless necessary to dispose of them properly. Cement, plaster, and bricks are typically crushed and reused in subsequent construction projects. A recycling or waste management business will come to collect the material as long as it is confined in a proper dumpster.

Dredging materials:

Materials removed during the preparation of a demolition or building site are referred to as dredging materials. Simply described, these are natural elements such as trees, tree stumps, rocks, dirt, and occasionally rubble. Although these aren't often considered hazardous items, they should be collected by a waste management company that can handle dredge waste disposal and trash collection. Specific materials from this garbage that may be reused, such as wood from uprooted trees, can be transported to a recycling plant. Some of the most significant parts of dredge waste disposal include proper recycling and disposal of natural resources.

Hazardous waste materials:

One of the most significant forms of construction waste materials to be able to recognize and handle is hazardous waste. Not only may this type of waste be hazardous to individuals who work with it, but it can also pose a threat to the general public if not properly managed. Construction, demolition, repair, and renovation operations can all produce hazardous trash. Much of the waste may be traced back to basic building materials. Lead, asbestos, plasterboard, paint thinners, strippers, mercury, fluorescent bulbs, and aerosol cans are just a few examples of hazardous waste generated by the construction industry.

Waste material generated during demolition of projects:

In demolition projects, there are several sorts of garbage that are common. As a result, they tend to be divided into a few sub-types. Asbestos and insulation are two common types of demolition waste, both of which are extremely toxic. Asbestos has been linked to an increased risk of lung illness and cancer. Because asbestos can form very small flakes that are easily breathed, this is the case. There is, however, insolation that isn't wholly constructed of asbestos. The difficulty is that even if there is only a small amount of asbestos in the insulation, it is still extremely dangerous. Non-asbestos-containing materials such as concrete, bricks, tiles, and ceramics are another category of demolition trash. Reinforced concrete is extremely significant when it comes to recycling because it can be used to create new concrete. Composition of construction and demolition waste is given below in a table.

Waste category	%, Min-max range
Concrete and masonry	40-84
Concrete	12-40
Masonry	8-54
Asphalt	4-26
Other minerals	2-9
Wood	2-4
Metal	0.2-4
Gypsum	0.2-0.4
Plastic	0.1-2
Miscellaneous	2-36

This type of material can be crushed on the job site where it's being used. As a result, transportation expenses will be kept low because fewer vehicles will be required. A third category of demolition waste items includes wood, glass, and plastic. The wood from these sites can be disposed of in the same manner as previously mentioned. Plastic is a significant contributor to the waste generated during demolition and building projects. Part of this is due to the fact that plastic is blended into a variety of building materials. Styrofoam, PVC cladding, and PEX pipes are among the plastics that must be properly disposed of.

Environmental impacts of waste materials in construction site:

Environmental issues includes  shrinking landfill space due to increasing volumes of these dumped wastes, exhausted building materials, increased contamination from landfills, which has major negative health consequences  and environmental degradation.

Construction waste reduction benefits:

Promote the image of building companies that recycle as much as possible, reduce the waste's environmental impact, construction site that is cleaner and safer, saves room in landfills that are already full and by diverting garbage from landfills, additional costs are avoided.