The building and construction sector is one of the largest industries, from building sites to public improvement projects, construction areas can be found all over the world.
In an article from BusinessWaste.co.uk they shared the statistics that the building and construction industry uses 400 million tonnes of natural resources each year, however the industry produces 100 million tonnes of waste. The good news is that well over 90% of this waste is recovered and recycled – and Cromwell can help with this waste management.
Types of waste
The type of waste produced will depend on the type of construction site or the project, but typically this waste will be bricks, wood, metals, concrete/cement, insulation, and asbestos materials. For demolition projects, the waste will increase, but even new-build and refurbishment ventures have their own attributed waste.
The waste produced on-site is often referred to as ‘rubble’, especially for the bulkier waste such as bricks, gypsum, timber, and concrete. So how should this waste be handled?
Handling the waste
Construction waste needs careful consideration when it comes to disposal. Lighter waste can be collected in your standard refuse and compactor sack; but bulky, heavy and sharp waste should be collected in a rubble sack. Rubble sacks are designed specifically to withhold heavier waste and be resistant to punctures because they are much thicker than the average sacks.
Rubble sacks are the most popular bag solution for building and construction sites, however, there is one form of waste that needs specialist treatment. Asbestos could be potentially hazardous if not correctly handled and treated, and as such, it is always recommended you use a UN-accredited bag when disposing of it. This is a safety precaution that must be met for correct and secure waste management. All asbestos waste must be double-bagged, using an UN-approved bag with a CDG hazard sign and asbestos code information clearly visible as the primary sack. Once securely sealed, the red sack must be placed into the slightly larger clear bag before being sealed again.
The final type of waste which is commonly produced in the building and construction sector is organic or ‘garden waste’. This ranges from soil and turf to grass and trees – the majority of which is compostable and as such can be collected in a compostable liner, these can be sent to organic recycling plants which help them to decompose naturally.
Cromwell’s Solutions
Among our specialist products, we have a range of particular relevance to the building and construction sector. It includes our rubble sacks, asbestos bags, temporary protective sheeting (TPS) for general protection, polythene damp-proof membranes, and reusable waste sacks.
View our range of rubble sacks and asbestos bags.
View our range of compostable liners
View our range of refuse sacks
View our range of compactor sacks and wheelie liners
Discuss your requirements with our team, and allow us to find you the best solution.