With leading nations committing to reducing global carbon emissions, construction companies are under the microscope.
The building and construction sector has long been a heavyweight when it comes to carbon emissions, with the industry contributing 39% of the world’s emissions (28% coming from operational emissions and the remaining 11% from materials and construction processes).
With climate movements gaining traction and public groups calling for more eco-conscious behaviors, here’s how the industry can develop more eco-friendly habits.
Out with non-renewable materials
Common construction materials such as steel and concrete are unsustainable—they’re made by mining limited resources and they’re virtually impossible to salvage for reuse.
Consider sustainable alternatives such as hempcrete that, along with other sustainable materials including cork and bamboo, are becoming more popular for their abundance, quick stock regeneration and durability, thanks to their impressive strength-to-weight ratios.
Switching to these greener alternatives not only improves a business’ reputation among eco-conscious consumers but goes a long way in reducing material waste and emissions.
Another common pitfall in construction is wasteful heating, with so many homes heated using gas boilers. However, integrating sustainable materials such as sheep’s wool in the construction stage helps reduce the need for artificial heating.
Hempcrete can also be repurposed for insulation because of its moisture-regulating and thermo-insulating properties.
The rise of “Lego” buildings
Pre-fabricating key building components in controlled factory conditions not only minimizes material waste but reduces onsite construction time. Knock-on benefits of this include a reduction in pollution from diesel-powered machinery and curbing of noise pollution.
Pre-fab buildings can often be disassembled and put together on new sites, too—which, can cut energy demand by up to 82%.
The manufacturing of prefabricated components also encourages just-in-time (JIT) delivery. Importing resources and shipping completed parts minimizes waste, as businesses only order what they know they need. It also prevents warehouses from becoming over-stocked, decreasing delivery time to the site.
Cut down on paper
The construction industry is notoriously under-digitized and investment in innovations is far behind that of other sectors. Those willing to invest in technology will see daily admin tasks transformed, without the need for paper records and with increased real-time collaboration across teams.
Making the switch to data management systems and incorporating AI and BIM into projects reduces reliance on paper, plus they reduce onsite material waste, as they allow designers to plan and visualize entire projects with a higher degree of accuracy.
BIM software lets users create 3D designs, including all plumbing and electrical details—which often present challenges when it comes to the building stage. The software also allows collaboration across all teams, with project managers and the finance department among those who can feed into the project in real-time, so everyone stays in the loop.
This means a reduction in labor costs, time spent onsite, noise pollution, emissions and material waste, as businesses are able to achieve more accurate planning in the design stage.
With most companies planning to implement BIM within the next five years, construction businesses can’t risk getting left behind—especially with modern consumers placing such importance on choosing eco-friendly companies.
Making waves
Not only are constructions projects responsible for water waste but they also have the potential to pollute supplies, with a large portion of water pollution coming from construction.
Surface runoff from construction sites—which often contains common pollutants such as oil and fuel from vehicles, paints and solvents, and harmful dust and debris—sinks into the earth, affecting the groundwater supply used for human consumption.
Reducing water waste and offsetting risks posed by surface runoff is key for construction businesses looking to minimize their environmental impact.
Make sure to phase projects in steps when working on large sites to reduce water pollution and if sites are near a watercourse, leave a reasonable gap. Stripping soil all the way up to the watercourse increases the likelihood of polluting the stream.
The biggest offenders for water waste are leaking pipes, dust suppression systems and toilets. Check equipment regularly for general wear and tear which can be patched up before a potential leak occurs.
Dust suppression systems are renowned for their inefficiency. Save water by switching to hydraulic spinning systems that are 90% more efficient than conventional systems.
Toilets and urinals are also among the worst offenders for inefficiency. However, installing dual-flush toilets and motion-sensor urinals can help cut water waste by 50%.
