Construction can be a hugely gratifying field of work and, while it can also be profitable, it comes with perhaps more than it's fair share of challenges. Safety is often uppermost in the minds of most GCs, right before budgets and time frames. Then there are issues with regulations, labor union rules, weather, and sub-contractor relations. 

Construction Debris and Construction Debris Removal - Challenge or Opportunity?

However, it is dealing with construction debris and construction debris removal is one of the most daunting challenges faced in the construction industry. Disposal costs are on the rise and productive resources are being taken up relentlessly to deal with the ongoing need to clean and dispose of construction waste. 

And because landfill space is diminishing rapidly, as well, alternatives such as reuse and recycling of waste materials is a pressing concern. The good news here is that the C&D waste challenge provides an opportunity for contractors and builders to contribute positively to the environment.

What's In Your Construction Debris?

C&D waste is often  divided into a number of categories:

• Waste left over from new construction (i.e. new material scraps, packaging, etc.)
• Remodeling/demolition debris from older buildings (i.e. old wood, insulation, plaster, brick, fixtures, appliances, etc.)
• Debris from large civil works projects such as highways and bridges (i.e. concrete, asphalt, rubble, etc.

How much is actually generated from construction and demolition work? Well, that depends on how construction debris is defined and what's included, etc. However, if we simply look at all the waste produced on construction job sites through out the U.S., regardless of the type of work done, the numbers are impressive:

How to Make Your Own Construction Debris Removal Less Challenging

One of the options, of course, is to reuse as much of the waste material as possible. The benefits of recycling have been made abundantly clear for a number of years now. But knowing that construction debris can be recycled or reused is still a great option for many contractors.

According to the state of California’s CalRecycle website:

Reuse and recycling of C&D materials is one component of a larger holistic practice called sustainable or green building construction. The efficient use of resources is a fundamental tenet of green building construction. This means reducing, reusing, and recycling most if not all materials that remain after a construction or renovation project. Green building construction practices can include salvaging dimensional lumber from the project, using aggregates reclaimed from crushed concrete, or grinding drywall scraps for use on site as a soil amendment.

At the end of a building’s life, demolition generates large amounts of materials that can be reused or recycled, principally wood, concrete and other types of masonry, and drywall. Rather than demolish an entire building, consider “deconstructing” all or part of the structure. Deconstruction is the orderly dismantling building components for reuse or recycling. In contrast to demolition, where buildings are knocked down and materials are either landfilled or recycled, deconstruction involves carefully taking apart portions of buildings or removing their contents with the primary goal being reuse. It can be as simple as stripping out cabinetry, fixtures, and windows, or as involved as manually taking apart the building frame.

The truth is that, for most construction professionals, it pays to recycle wherever and whatever they can. The good news is that many municipalities and private firms have developed the means and resources to make this option not only viable, but relatively easy and profitable for everyone involved.

Getting Real Assistance from Real Professionals for Your Construction Debris

Trash hauling and site clean-up might be considered “part of the job” for contractors, bit it really doesn’t have to be. When you consider that every hour your crew spends picking up debris, cleaning the site, and hauling and disposing of the material, is an hour NOT spent generating revenue on a project. And the bigger the job, the more the opportunity costs add up.

Add to that the possible costs of hazardous material disposal and even required training for your employees, the benefits of outsourcing these tasks become more attractive.

Do you have a current or upcoming project that will need construction trash clean-up and removal? If so, call Junk King! Our team specializes in construction trash removal. We can be at your facility in mere minutes, so call us today! Our crew is fully insured and well-trained, so you can trust them to get rid of your unwanted items in a professional and courteous fashion.

And one of the best things about hiring Junk King is that we recycle a much of the material we pick-up. This is proof of our commitment to being an eco-friendly removal service. If you have questions about what we do or what we believe, give us a call at (707) 744-4254.