TOP TIPS FOR MINIMISING WASTE

One way to reduce the environmental impact of your building materials is to simply avoid wasting what you purchase. Here’s how you can do it:

Try to establish a good relationship with your local builder’s merchant, so that anything you over-order can be taken back (bear in mind it’s fair for them to charge a small restocking fee).

Look to use standardised sizes where possible. For instance, windows and doors are often produced in configurations to suit the dimensions of bricks and blocks. Similarly, panelised structures are at their most efficient if you use common dimensions (essentially maximising the potential of modular design and reducing waste in the factory).

Consider using offsite construction methods. The more components of a building that can be assembled in the factory, the more likely it is that offcuts can be used for the supplier’s next project.

Poor on site materials storage can account for considerable losses, usually due to weather damage and other avoidable issues. Be sure to provide suitably dry and secure storage for the products you need.

If you’re working on a renovation or a demolish and rebuild project, it’s worth looking into whether some of the original materials can be retained and reused. You could save money, lower your scheme’s embodied energy and get a more appropriate design by recycling roof tiles or flooring materials in good nick, for example.