You have completed your renovation project (or are halfway through it), so now you will need to deal with the mess.

One of the most important elements of a renovation project is that you will end up with a lot of debris, and need a plan to deal with removing the construction waste. To guarantee that everything is handled properly, what would be the best way to accomplish this? Which things should you be concerned with and why?

Below you will find a list of the most common materials you will encounter during your renovation or construction project, ranging from easy to difficult to recycle:

Rubble & Concrete

Concrete and mixed rubble are typically generated for building-related construction and demolition. Infrastructure has been put in place to ensure that concrete and mixed rubble don’t end up in landfills. This type of waste can be recycled anywhere depending on which options are available in your local area for having it removed.

Wood Material

Although they are often scrapped to make chips and scrap wood, timbers from recycled buildings can be used in future construction.

Drywall

Drywall or any gypsum material will not be accepted in all landfills, which is a good thing because when it decomposes, it gives off 25% of its weight in hydrogen sulphide (also called natural gas). Alternatively, it can be recycled into drywall and other gypsum products. When you put the gypsum aside right away, you reduce the risk of smaller elements contaminating your other waste.

Roofing Made of Asphalt

Asphalt is so easily recyclable that it does not often go to landfills. Asphalt shingles can be used for many repairs, such as potholes or new blacktops and new roof shingles. When it comes to sorting, it’s also the easiest to stack, saving you a tremendous amount of space during any remodelling project.

Metals

Metals are, in general, easy to recycle in bulk, though it depends on the type of metal. Thus, keeping them all together is an ideal starting point for recycling.

Bricks

At the bottom of the list is something that no one expects. It’s bricks, divided roughly evenly between metals and plastics, for a three-way tie. The obvious potential of bricks to be incorporated into your future renovation or decoration is just one of many uses your bricks can be put towards. The first thing you should do is sort through the broken ones first.

Plastics

Although plastic recycling is difficult, the biggest challenge is sorting them into various types of plastics. Whenever you are unsure what kind of plastic you are using, you can check online resources to make sure.

Are you aware that you can’t dispose of construction waste the same way as regular trash? It is not something you can throw in a bag and wait for the city to pick up.

Due to the contaminants that construction waste contains, it must be handled and disposed of with care. Removing and disposing of rubbish is a much more environmentally friendly alternative if you do it this way, but it takes more time. You will also be able to avoid paying for regulated clean-up fees if you do it this way.

Now let’s look at the different methods for disposing and repurposing construction debris:

1. Recycling

It’s important to note that almost all non-hazardous construction and demolition waste materials can be recycled, including concrete, asphalt, wood, aluminum, corrugated cardboard and metals.

2. Reduce your construction waste from the start

It is always good to recycle and reuse waste materials before disposing of them on your construction site. Choose what you buy carefully.

Thorough planning will ensure that you don’t buy excess or unsuitable materials that end up in a landfill. For instance, you can easily prevent unnecessary waste created by offcuts, such as from pipes and timber, by buying more appropriate sizes and lengths in the first place.

3. Use the material again for another project

Bricks, windows, and roof tiles, among other leftover materials, can all be repurposed for another project of yours. The materials can also be passed on or exchanged with other construction projects.

4. Hire a professional waste disposal service

The easiest and most practical construction waste disposal method is to consider working with a junk or waste removal company. These vendors can offer various bin sizes and types, so you should easily find what you need. Always opt for eco-friendly ways when collecting and disposal.

For more information about construction waste removal, call Junk Works at 1-888-888-JUNK (5865) or contact us here.