3 Ways to Be Kind to the Environment in Your Building Project

Building projects take their toll on the environment, but there are steps you can take that allow for them to be more nature focused. This post will explore some key ways that a building project can protect and nurture the world we inhabit. Moving away from traditional construction methods will take time and planning. When it’s done right, it can enrich a project, not detract from it.

Manage Your Waste Properly

There are many ways that you can manage the rubbish and waste that comes from the construction project. Below are just a few reliable methods that you can choose to use.

Recycling Your Waste

First up is recycling. Recycling is the reusing of materials in order to promote sustainability and reduce waste. Industrial recycling is becoming a bigger part of construction, and it has many advantages for the environment. Through recycling, you can significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in places like landfills. Landfills are one of the leading causes of pollution, after all. There are plenty of dedicated recycling centres up and down the country that you can take advantage of whenever the need arises. You’ll be surprised by the list of things that can be recycled, so it’s always worth checking.  

Disposing of Waste Properly

Of course, there will always be times where you can’t recycle. If that is the case, disposing of your waste properly is paramount when it comes to protecting the environment. Using a regulated disposal site is the responsible route. More often than ever waste is discarded at the side of roads, in ditches, and even spread around town. This is known as fly-tipping or illegal dumping and carries a substantial penalty and fine. There are legal and reliable waste disposal units in every local area, and some are specifically for construction debris.

Use Sustainable Materials  

Sustainable materials are ones that are better for the environment. This can mean a few different things. Firstly, some materials are more sustainable than others owing to where they’re sourced from. Secondly, some materials are more sustainable than others owing to their impact on the environment. Sustainable materials are things like recycled materials that can be reintegrated into building works. Lots of things can be recycled now, and it stands to reason that these types of materials have less of a footprint on the wider world than non-recycled materials. This can be recycled steel, recycled wood or recycled plastic.

There are also alternatives to things like concrete that are more sustainable, for example, Ashcrete.  Ashcrete is composed of nearly 100% recycled materials, such as fly ash. Whereas concrete contributes to nearly 10% of all greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, ashcrete has little to no carbon footprint whatsoever. So, it is fairly obvious why alternate materials to traditional construction are being used more and more. Not only does concrete contribute towards air pollution on a ridiculous level, but it also uses untenable amounts of natural resources.  

Protect Wildlife and Nature

Protecting wildlife and nature should be at the forefront of every construction project. The things we build can really take their toll on the natural ecosystems around us. Unparallel levels of harm can occur if a project is mismanaged, or the wildlife and plant life are not taken into consideration during the planning process.

Tree Surveys

Tree surveys are a simple thing that any construction project can employ to ensure less of an impact on the surrounding wildlife. Some trees, for example, are a home to nesting birds. If this is the case, then your project will be delayed if the project is calling for removal. Trees can also affect where and how you can build. Companies such as Tree Survey can provide a comprehensive, knowledgeable overview and detailed report of the trees in the building area. This is a professional recommendation of the necessary steps in order to move forward with your building works. By investing in a tree survey, you are not only protecting wildlife, but also maintaining the integrity of your build.

Animal Surveys

Similarly, animal surveys can provide you with an oversight of which animals are present in the building area. Sometimes there can be issues you hadn’t even considered. That is why there is so much merit in gaining a professional assessment. In fact, most regulations require such types of survey before any type of building can officially begin. If it does transcend that there are animals living in the construction zone, steps must be taken to be mindful of their existence. Relocation is an ethical and morally acceptable solution as it gives the animals a new and safe place to live. If ignored, construction work can have a devastating ripple effect on their food supplies, water supplies and home environment.

Incorporate Nature into Your Build

Another less talked about option is to engage with local wildlife and nature in a more advanced way. Something as simple as building a pond in your garden can help your environment thrive. If you can leave trees alone, do so. Those trees have been a home to a number of animals long before the construction project arrived, and they could continue to do so after the building work is established and erected. Choosing your site map to promote natural conservation is also a step that people can take to protect what’s around us. If the designated building zone is rich in species and plant life, consider alternative plot options for the build.

Being friendly to the environment is a major factor in the world of construction. What once was never a consideration, has rapidly become the main point of discussion. Everything a building project does has to be in the name of protecting the environment. Thankfully, this gets easier and easier. Following regulations isn’t difficult and anything a construction zone does to be considerate towards native species and local greenery can only contribute positively toward protecting the environment on a wider scale.