Shifting to Green: questions for building professionals
Building professionals are responsible for not only purchasing building materials they are also responsible for removal of that which is not used at the end of a job. These are often “hidden” financial and environmental costs on a project. Another hidden cost lies in material purchases. Once building materials have been paid for, a client may want to retain unused materials, or “sell” them back to the contractor when a project is completed.
It is recommended that clients incorporate basic questions about C&D waste into the description of work they ask a builder, contractor or an architect to take on. Expenses associated with the processing of construction and demolition waste varies across the province. These are generally incorporated into a contractor’s bill and charges can range from $30/tonne for sorted materials to more than $200/tonne for mixed loads!
Working together, clients and contractors can develop efficient plans to reuse materials, minimize project waste and save money.
When choosing a contractor, consider asking the following questions:
Do you have experience with deconstruction, salvaging and job-site recycling?
What steps are you taking to minimize C&D material going to the processing site?
Will you sort the material before it is processed?
If yes, then where and how?
If no, then why not?
How much C&D waste material do you estimate the project will the project generate?
How much will it cost to dispose of this material?
Where will you be disposing of the materials? Is it a facility approved by the Department of Environment?
Please keep the weigh bill or receipt from each load and give to me for my records.
Will you be reusing any of the leftover materials in future projects?
Where will you be storing these materials?
Can you tell me if this project will produce any hazardous waste?
What are your plans for keeping the area safe, and for disposing of this waste?
Friendly, clear communication helps insure that best C&D waste options are being applied. Keep checking in to make sure everyone is staying on track.
| A typical 300 square foot kitchen renovation can generate enough waste to fill a room 10’x10’x7’—28 cubic yards of debris (Venolia and Lerner 2006). |
Built Environment Committee
Phone: (902) 429-2202
Fax: (902) 405-3716
The Built Environment Committee meets the second Thursday of every month at 5:30pm at the EAC. All are welcome at our monthly meeting.
