Sustainable construction sites 

The construction industry is responsible for over 10 million metric tons of carbon per year in the UK alone, contributing to environmental issues. On the more positive side, there are ways that construction sites can become more sustainable. 

So, what is sustainable construction? 

Sustainability refers to meeting our current needs as a society, without compromising the ability for future generations to do the same. This refers to social, economic and environmental practices. 

In construction, sustainability could mean using renewable or recyclable materials and reducing overall energy consumption to lessen the industry’s impact on the environment.

Building materials 

Wood is a sustainable material overall as sustainable forests offer renewable materials as well as habitats for wildlife. Scrap wood can be used to create sawdust, furniture, garden planters and even just woodchips for various uses. 

Aluminium is the second most used metal worldwide after steel. It’s lightweight, versatile, durable, and 100% recyclable. Up to 85% of materials used in construction are made of aluminium. 

Energy consumption  

One of the most obvious ways to promote sustainability is to simply, be more energy efficient. This means staying in line with regulations, including energy-efficient measures on site, in all building projects and using energy-efficient tools and appliances. 

Minimised waste e.g., recycling, composting, reduced packing  

Approximately a third of the world’s waste is from the construction industry, which equates to around 40% of carbon dioxide emissions. Not only this but building and maintenance uses up more raw materials than any other industry. By carefully planning, reusing materials, donating and recycling, the industry can cut down on pollution and increase sustainability.

Water Usage

Water is often used on construction sites, and managing water use can help reduce the environmental impact. To lessen water consumption, collect rainwater on-site, for purposes like site cleaning. By implementing water-saving strategies it can lead to cost savings and reduced carbon footprint.

Temporary buildings 

If you’re setting up temporary cabins on site, you might not fully consider the environmental impact of them. They often lack energy efficiency due to poor insulation or not using LED lights, these can be rectified quite easily to boost energy efficiency. These structures can often cause damage to the ground under them, we offer ground support solutions to lessen the impact of temporary structures to the ground. 

The construction industry contributes to air, water and landfill pollution, and has an enormous environmental impact. By improving practices in just some of these areas, your site will be more sustainably managed than most.