According to recent statistics, it’s estimated that around five million tonnes of construction and demolition waste ends up in landfill each year. In the current climate where sustainability and green initiatives are prioritised, this highlights a serious problem that needs addressing. So is there a more environmentally friendly way of doing things?
That’s where green demolition comes in. For those unfamiliar with the term, the team here at Hill Demolition has written this article explaining everything you need to know.
What is green demolition?
Quite simply, green demolition is the process of demolishing or dismantling in the most sustainable way possible, diverting as much waste away from landfill as you can. Essentially, you apply the three Rs of waste management – reduce, reuse and recycle – to your way of working.
Here at Hill Demolition, we do this in a few different ways:
Soft strip demolition
Soft strip demolition is when the facade of the building is retained while all the interior, non-structural elements – such as fixtures and fittings, staircases, ceilings and non-load bearing walls – are removed.
Unlike complete destruction, soft strip demolition is a much more delicate process and is often carried out by hand, allowing many elements to be salvaged and reused. This affords extra precision and control, reducing the amount of debris created.
Concrete crushing
Most demolition projects will generate a large volume of waste concrete, which is where concrete crushing comes in handy. Using specialist machinery, concrete will be – as the name suggests – broken down and crushed into smaller, more uniform pieces. It will then be screened to identify any contaminants, before being used again as an aggregate for roads, driveways and more.
Responsible waste management
When carrying out demolition work, it’s vital to choose a trusted demolition waste management expert, like Hill Demolition. We’ll responsibly and safely remove your demolition waste in line with all regulations, transporting it to the most appropriate waste management facility for proper disposal.
Benefits of green demolition
- It reduces landfill waste: While traditional methods of demolition create a significant amount of debris, green demolition is a much more methodical process and diverts innumerable tonnes of waste away from landfill sites by allowing useful materials to be repurposed.
- It reduces your environmental impact: By carrying out a green demolition, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, decrease the emissions generated by your project and support a circular economy.
- It boosts your business’s reputation: Nowadays, sustainability is a major concern for many people, and customers may actively seek out companies that work in an environmentally friendly way. Green demolition is a great way to improve your reputation and boost your business’s green credentials.
- It conserves natural resources: Many materials that would otherwise have gone to waste can be repurposed and reused, reducing demand and helping to conserve valuable raw materials.
- It improves site conditions: Green demolition produces less dust than traditional methods of demolition, and also minimises noise pollution to create safer conditions for everyone on site.