By Eric Lee
April 1, 2022

The idea of zero waste has been a common theme when discussing sustainability and one’s contribution to the environment. Although it can be a challenge, achieving a zero-waste goal for a construction project is possible if proper guidelines are followed. 

The very first place to raise awareness and set goals is during the pre-design phases of a project. This is where crucial planning regarding the use of recyclable and deconstructable materials can be considered in the later stages of design and in the final project itself. A critical step of performing multiple life-cycle analyses of the utilized materials can also be done here, allowing all participants in a project to gauge the environmental impact of any component of the project. It is also during this primitive phase where the option of modular construction can be considered as a building method, where a building and all of its components are fabricated off-site and then delivered. This particular method of construction has the potential to reduce waste and damage to the environment of the job site. 

In further design development stages, implementing BIM modeling is a critical action that will make the implementation and brainstorming of the use of deconstructable and/or reusable materials much more efficient. Additionally, current technologies in the construction industry such as VDC (virtual design and construction) offer a robust way in which engineers, management employees, and architects can have an accessible model which is identical to the one in the plan set. This strategy ensures that no materials are excessively ordered and can greatly reduce or even eliminate the number of offcuts that must be performed in order to reach the goal of zero waste for the project. To touch again on deconstructable materials and construction, the use of BIM modeling can contribute to the design and eventual construction of a building that is fully deconstructable. This situation and strategy are particularly unique since it creates a building that can have its components be reused for future applications. This process, while tedious to many, has obvious benefits in the role of contributing to present and future zero-waste construction projects. 

In regards to material selection, consider ones that have a high recycled material content to ensure that the materials can then be recycled again once their lifetime usage is over. For added sustainability in this phase, locally sourced materials can be used as well. For example, glass pollozan can be a replacement for cement in concrete in some instances. Another important point is to consider the use of reclaimed materials. These can be particularly effective when planning materials for finishes, since many tiles, bricks, and lumber can be in perfectly fine condition to be used again. 

During the actual construction phase, a proper waste management plan should be in place to fulfill the goal of having a zero-waste construction project. Doing so will ensure that any excess materials and miscellaneous waste can be properly disposed of and/or recycled so that nothing is sent into the landfill. Even a simple task of separating different kinds of waste into designated dumpsters can make a large impact. 

Source: https://www.zerowastedesign.org/02-building-design/fa-construction-demolition-waste-best-practice-strategies/

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