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In Terms Of Reducing The Pollution Associated With The Construction Industry, ...

In terms of reducing the pollution associated with the construction industry, responsible disposal of materials is important (and is ‘policed' through local authority guidelines), as is the management of construction sites to ensure materials are used correctly and so pollute the environment less. The use of less polluting materials (such as timber instead of dust-producing concrete, for example) can also lead to less overall pollution being generated from the build.
In terms of the waste potential of construction sites, it is massive. It is estimated that the construction industry produces up to 75 million tonnes of waste every year, year on year, which accounts for nearly twenty per cent of the total waste produced in the UK. Of this amount of waste, it is estimated that approximately twenty per cent is material that has been delivered to a construction site and which has not been used (for example, excess materials or packaging). Obviously this vast amount of waste generation is not sustainable and is something that needs to be controlled in order that construction companies, and construction sites, can become more environmentally friendly. In terms of reducing the waste generated at construction sites, the correct amount of materials should always be ordered, so that waste is not generated simply through excess. Packaging should be recycled, and the construction industry as a whole should put pressure on manufacturers to ensure that, where possible, packaging materials themselves are recyclable. Education programs should also be put in place in order to ensure that all people involved on the construction project are aware of the need for, and can implement, sustainable practices, in terms of managing waste.
If construction companies decide to conform with such recommendations for minimising their impact on the environment, through minimising their energy usage, waste generation, pollution generation and materials usage capacity, then the construction industry as a whole would reduce their environmental impact and would reduce the detrimental environmental effects by a large proportion, leading to much less environmental damage.
References
Batty, S. Davoudi, S. and Layard, A. (eds.) (2001). Sustainable development and planning, in Planning for a Sustainable Future. Spon Press, London.
Berge, B. (2000). Ecology of Building Materials.
Curwell, S. et al. (2002). Hazardous building materials: a guide to the selection of environmentally responsible alternatives.
Department of Trade and Industry. www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability
Ding, G. and Langston, C. (eds). (2001). Sustainable practices in the built environment.
Edwards, B. and Hyett, P. (2001). Rough Guide to Sustainability.
National Council for Sustainable Development. www.ncsdnetwork.org
Sustainable development the government's approach. www.


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