No matter how large or small your construction project, there is a good chance you will need to deal with waste management issues. You can save time, headaches and even a little money when you come up with a solid plan on how you will handle debris at your work site as early as possible in the project’s planning process as possible.
Creating a Proactive Waste Handling Plan
- Know the rules. Each municipality has its laws and regulations for the proper handling of construction debris. Make sure you are aware of these rules and how they will affect your waste handling plan. If you are unfamiliar with the laws, do yourself a favor and find out by speaking with the local department that is in charge of waste management. Fines for mishandling debris are steep.
- Set a budget. Waste management will cost you money, even if you plan on doing it most of the work by yourself. At the start of the project, select a realistic amount you can afford. Don’t cut corners on waste disposal since handling debris improperly is dangerous and may lead to legal trouble. If you can afford it, outsourcing waste management is the best choice. Get multiple estimates from several waste management companies before choosing one.
- Create a schedule. Construction companies can avoid costly delays by developing a waste management schedule. When a good waste management plan in place, it is much easier to estimate when you will need to order a new dumpster or predict when you will need to haul a full one away. If your customer is using an outside contractor for waste management, try to coordinate with the company to prevent inconveniencing your construction crew.
- Reduce your waste. Don’t pay to throw money away. Up to 75 percent of construction debris does not have to wind up in a landfill because it is recyclable. Although recycling waste takes more time than regular disposal, there are significant business advantages. Recycling construction and demolition waste reduces hauling and landfill fees. Proper waste management can help your business earn LEED® certification.
- Know what you can recycle or reuse. Almost all construction and demolition waste can either be recycled or reused. This includes different types of metal, wood, concrete, many varieties of plastics, porcelain, tile, brick, stone, insulation, carpeting, architectural elements and more. Find out which items all acceptable by contacting the local recycling center. Remember that before you dispose of anything which is coated with lead paint or is potentially hazardous, you need to follow local guidelines.
Are you planning a construction project in San Diego, National City or anywhere in the entire unincorporated areas in San Diego County? Make Debris Box a part of your waste management plan. Debris Box provides dumpster rentals and waste disposal solutions for commercial and residential customers. Call 619-284-9245 to talk with a customer service agent today.
It sure got me when you suggested checking first the kind of things that can be reused and recycled by contacting the local recycling organization before disposing of construction waste. I will be sure to do that since I would also want to save money on the type of dumpster that I will rent. If I know that some of the things can be reused, then we can opt for a smaller dumpster. Thanks!
Thanks for talking about the business advantages of recycling your waste. I can see that taking the time to sort your waste can help also help you care for the environment. My brother was talking about demolishing his old warehouse, so I’ll share this site with him to help him recycle.