There are measures you can take to minimise the waste by making responsible choices throughout your construction.
When you are building a home, there are measures you can take to minimise the waste created.
Making responsible choices throughout this process can save resources, limit pollution and landfill, and prevent harmful toxins from leaking into the soil and water. The ‘3 Rs’ can guide your design and help you plan ahead.
Reduce
Consider a floor plan that suits your lifestyle. Order only the materials you need, with a small allowance for damage and offcuts. Consider prefabricated or modular components for your construction and design your home for future reuse or dismantling.
Reuse
Look for salvaged or repurposed materials, such as timber, brick, and plasterboard, to reuse in your project. Using reclaimed materials can reduce waste and the need for new resources, making the construction process more sustainable. Incorporating these materials can also help lower costs and reduce the environmental impact of your build. Local buy, swap and sell platforms are a great place to find repurposed materials.
Recycle
Choose materials with recycled and recyclable content. We recommend involving your designer and builder for guidance here, though you can reach out to councils, waste stations, or recycling contractors in your area too. Proper handling of materials on site can prevent damage and increase the likelihood of recycling.
Design
The design of your home can have a huge impact on the environment. Smaller homes require less materials and resources upfront, and ongoing. For example, if your home is designed to conserve energy, you can save a lot of money on electricity and water.
Which materials can be recycled?
Speak with your builder early to make your sustainable construction plan. Did you know all of the following materials can be recycled or reused?
Concrete and bricks
Unset concrete can be cleaned and reused, while set concrete and bricks can be crushed into aggregate for new concrete or road base.
Plasterboard
Clean plasterboard can be recovered and reused, with some suppliers offering recycling services for offcuts.
Metal
Scrap metal like steel, aluminium, and copper can be recycled, with steel easily separated using magnets.
Timber
Quality hardwood timber can be reused or sold, while lower-quality untreated timber can be turned into particleboard or mulch.
Glass
Construction glass can be separated and reused or recycled as aggregate for concrete.
Plastics
Plastics, including those used for buckets, bins, shrink wrap and pipes, can be recycled into new plastic products.
Carpet
Carpet in good condition can be reused, while worn carpet can be recycled into new carpets or other uses such as weed barriers or worm farm food.
Plants
Did you know that many plants can be replanted into new pots or garden beds, while many others can be divided and made into new plants. If you have plants you want to bring to your new garden, plan ahead and consider bringing some favourites with you from your current garden.
Rocks, soil and sand
These materials after heavier and can be reused in landscaping or as fill.
Asking your builder to set up good waste sorting practices on your building site can mean any excess materials you do end up with (after careful planning) can be reused or recycled into other projects.
Protecting the streetscape
Trees and grass provide shade, support native wildlife, and enhance the streetscape. While street trees are maintained by Transport Canberra and City Services, verge upkeep is the responsibility of the homeowner. During construction, loose soil, sand, and debris can be washed into drains and waterways, causing blockages and pollution. Toxic materials like paints, solvents, and oils can also enter runoff, harming the environment.
Speak with your builder about how to prevent construction waste running off your construction site and onto your verge and beyond. One simple thing you could request from your builder, is a sediment trap installed underneath the site fence, and dug into the ground, preventing sediment runoff but allowing water flow onto the verge. You can arrange repairs to ACT Government assets by contacting the Suburban Land Agency Place Management team at [email protected]
Verge bonds
A $1,000 bond is required at settlement to support the upkeep of the verge and street trees during construction. Once the verge is returned to its original condition, you can request a refund within six months of receiving your certificate of occupancy and no later than 30 months after settlement.
There are many different ways to manage your verge once your home construction is complete. Learn more about what you can do with your verge here.
