What is Construction Waste?
Construction waste consists of unwanted material produced directly or incidentally by
the construction
or industries. This includes building materials such as insulation, nails,
electrical wiring, and rebar, as well as waste
originating from site preparation such as dredging
materials, tree stumps,
and rubble.
construction waste may contain lead, asbestos, or other hazardous substances. Much building waste is made up of materials such as bricks, concrete and wood damaged or unused for various reasons during construction.
There are
two types of construction waste:
- Inert construction waste
- Non-inert construction waste
Non-inert
construction waste is around 20% of the total and usually comprises bamboo,
timber, vegetation, packaging waste and other organic materials. Some of these
can be recycled while others are disposed of at landfills.
In
contrast, inert waste - otherwise known as public fill - mainly includes
construction debris, rubble, earth, bitumen and concrete, which can be used for
land formation. Materials like concrete and asphalt can also be recovered for
construction use.
.Construction Impacts
1. Mud in streets
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Earth movements
taking place in raining days often lead to the deposition of mud if tyres of
lorries are not cleaned when leaving the construction area. Consequences are
unpleasant aspect of streets, increased risk of car accidents
and bigger maintenance costs for public space and private properties.
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2. Dust production
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Earth movements and
demolitions often encompass the production of blowing clouds of dust with pernicious
effects in the increasing number of those suffering from breathing diseases
and unpleasant effects in deposition surfaces.
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3. Contamination of land and water and damaging of the public drainage system
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Construction makes
use of a set of pollutant fluids that may spoil the land and adjacent
pavements. Direct evacuation to the sewing system is inconvenient and should
in some cases be forbidden because they may damage pipes and treatment
plants. Paints, solvents, oils and washing water from
construction sites are some examples of dangerous products. Pavements in
historical
city centres are
sometimes of considerable value and the risk of degradation should therefore
be
avoided. Sewers are
often very old and quite sensitive to possible aggressions. Repairing costs of such
infrastructures tend to be high for several reasons and cause severe in conveniences
both in living and visiting population.
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4. Damaging of trees
The activity of
construction sites may damage trees within the site and its vicinity. Trees
being
important natural
elements in the urban landscape, as they beautify it, provide shades, shelter
for
birds, purify the air
and retain moisture, among other things, their preservation is a must. In
spite of their bulk, trees are delicate living beings; therefore,
construction sites must be carefully prepared.
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5. Visual impact
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Fences not preserved with bad graffiti or deteriorated placards
contribute for environment degradation and may constitute a form of visual
aggression.
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6. Noise
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Noise produced by a
construction site may affect the right to silence, comfort and health of
resident and visiting population and may influence normal activity of nearby
schools, hospitals and other economic activity. Main sources of
noise in a construction site are pneumatic hammers, compressors, concrete
mixers, operating machinery, several types of horns and acoustic signals,
communication among workers, etc.
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7. Increasing
car traffic and reduction of parking spaces
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Traffic of vehicles
and machinery from the site or related to the site may introduce a
significant
increase in local
traffic. Moreover, this type of traffic and typical narrow streets of
historical
city centres are
often difficult to conciliate. Parking spaces usually available are often
reduced due to the increase of demand of workers and suppliers.
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Management Strategy for Construction Waste
When
determining management strategies for construction waste, the Government's
objectives are to:
- Reduce
waste generation.
- Maximise
reusing and recycling.
- Reduce
the intake of mixed construction waste at landfills.
The
overall strategy involves the maintenance of a well-managed public filling
programme with sufficient facilities and access. But given the high level of
waste generation, the emphasis is also being placed on producers. This involves
the Government encouraging the industry to:
- Sort
mixed construction waste and not just dispose of it in a single place.
- Reuse
and recycle as far as possible.
- Design
better and construct more efficiently to minimise waste.
