Sustainable Construction & Demolition

In the past people have talked about “Sustainable Building” which has related mostly to the sustainable design of buildings and the decisions that are made during the design and planning stages. The Sustainable Construction & Demolition project encompasses sustainable design but also has a strong focus on construction and demolition waste reduction and environmental protection during construction and demolition. Read on for information about what you can do to be more sustainable.

What can the industry do to be more sustainable?

Use the REBRI Guidelines to reduce Construction & Demolition Waste

There is now a set of guidelines for the industry to help reduce construction and demolition waste. These are available on the REBRI website (Resource Efficiency in the Building and Related Industries) at www.rebri.org.nz.

These guides cover everything from design/planning through to construction of new buildings, home renovations, as well as looking at various material types such as concrete, wood, metal and plasterboard.

Please contact the Cleaner Production team if you would like assistance in implementing these guidelines.

Protect the environment while undertaking your activities

Protect stormwater drains by ensuring nothing but rain is allowed down them. In particular concreting activities have significant potential to cause pollution of our streams and waterways. Ensure adequate sediment control measures are in place during construction and store any hazardous substances responsibly.

Visit our Concreting Project page and visit our section on Hazardous Substances Projects.

Join the Sustainable Building Cluster

This is a cluster of individuals and representatives from different organisations that have a common interest in Sustainable Building. Keep up-to-date with the latest news and feed into the cluster with your own good ideas. Read more about the Sustainable Building Cluster.

What can I do as a resident building or renovating to be more sustainable?

Be informed!

There are lots of resources available to help you if you are looking at or in the process of building or renovating.  Contact Us for your free copy of the Eco-friendly House guidelines, a pamphlet with all the basics (4 page, A4 pamphlet).

Purchase or download chapters of the Sustainable Home Guidelines. This document is a comprehensive practical guide for good practice eco-building with information about energy, water, materials, safety, waste and other eco-building issues (approx. 230 page ringbinder or download individual chapters).

Read more about Building Sustainably.

Get Free Advice from the Eco-Design Advisor Service

Inform your contractors!

• Ask them to follow the REBRI guidelines to reduce waste when working on your site.
• Ask them what environmental protection measures they will be taking while working on your property.

Remember that you are also responsible for the actions of contractors employed by you.

Why are we worried about C&D waste?

C&D waste is a significant portion of the waste stream, making up 17% of waste disposed to landfill (based on 1995 estimates).

(Source: Ministry for the Environment, National Waste Data Report 1997, www.mfe.govt.nz)

The New Zealand Waste Strategy sets targets for the reduction of C&D waste, with the drive on local and regional government to achieve this target.

It states:  “By December 2008, there will have been a reduction of construction and demolition waste to landfills of 50 percent of December 2005 levels measured by weight.”

The National C&D Waste Reduction Project – Creating the REBRI Guidelines

A mix of industry groups, councils and the Ministry for the Environment worked together on a two year project (2003-2005) to produce the REBRI guidelines with the aim to reduce the amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste destined for landfill and cleanfill. The project aimed to provide clear guidelines, tools and resources to assist local and regional authorities, businesses and the community to reduce C&D waste disposed to landfill and cleanfill.

Seven industry sectors who contribute to the C&D waste stream were targeted for this project:

1. Architects/designers
2. Engineers
3. Developers/builders
4. Sub-contractors
5. Product suppliers
6. Demolition firms
7. Home renovators

The project worked closely and in co-operation with these seven sectors including construction and demolition recycling/reuse operators to develop the REBRI tools and educational resources for the targeted industry sectors and local and regional authorities.

The Construction and Demolition Waste Reduction Project was sponsored by:

Ministry for the Environment, North Shore City Council, Hamilton City Council, Christchurch City Council, BRANZ, RONZ, Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council, Rodney District Council, Waitakere City Council, Environment Waikato, Winstone Wallboards Ltd.

For more information on this project contact the Cleaner Production team or visit www.rebri.org.nz.

Waitakere C&D Waste Reduction Projects

Sorting bins for the builders on-site

Earthsong Stage 2 Development

Earthsong Eco-neighbourhood:

The Earthsong Eco-neighbourhood in Ranui undertook their Stage 2 development in 2004 building 7 new houses. During this time a dedicated resident at Earthsong kept track of the waste streams that were being created by the construction process before any materials were recycled or disposed of.

Some of the Waste Reduction initiatives during the Earthsong Stage 2 Construction Process included:

• Used carpet was utilised as a base on the bare clay as an alternative to mud cloth
• Left-over concrete was utilised as concrete pads for builders
• Untreated timber pile was used for domestic firewood
• Food scraps from builders were composted
• A domestic recycling bin was provided for the builders

Waitakere City Council provided sorting bins with the National recycling symbols for the builders on-site and supported an initial waste audits to be undertaken where all the construction waste was sorted into the different categories and weighed for analysis.

Results showed that due to the eco-design of the buildings and the focus on waste reduction the Earthsong Stage 2 Development produced less construction waste than what is typical for a standard housing.

Read about local sustainable public and commercial buildings.

For more information visit the Earthsong website on www.earthsong.org.nz/.