Contractor's guide to cutting waste from construction projects
Reducing and reusing demolition waste
On construction projects that require high levels of strip-out or demolition, you should plan how you could potentially reuse the waste. Demolition waste can often be reclaimed and reused as aggregates, and potentially (if care is taken during the demolition process) as whole materials - for example the reuse of reclaimed bricks.
You should apply good practice:
- in demolition - through the use of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Demolition Protocol (PDF, 224K) and site waste management plans
- in new build construction - through recycling and reuse, waste minimisation and site waste management
- between the demolition and new build phases through on-site reclamation and recycling of materials
Performing a pre-demolition audit can help you to identify any materials that can be recovered for reuse within the project itself or stockpiled for future construction projects. You should perform the audit at the design stage.
The earlier you perform the audit the better, as this information is invaluable to ensure that the recovery of these materials is part of the procurement process for demolition services.