Earth Day was celebrated differently this year, with masks, hand sanitizer, social distancing, and some remote working for a majority of our G3 team members. Regardless of the current state of our society, environmental protection is still a huge aspect of the construction industry and a top priority for our team at G3 Quality. There are procedures that can be implemented to help diminish negative effects.
Construction Waste
In larger, advanced countries like the United States, construction disposal can make up almost two-thirds of the nation’s waste. It’s important to properly dispose of waste and reuse what materials you can for other purposes. You can help reduce the amount of waste that results from your projects by building leftover materials back into a new structure or project, making sure you plan to build to the standard dimensions, utilizing your local recycling center for materials that can be recycled, and practicing deconstruction instead of demolition. At G3, we routinely provide materials designs that properly reincorporate recycled materials into pavement designs such as aggregate bases, asphalt pavements, even concrete.
Air Quality
Air pollution is a high area of concern when it comes to environmental protection. Land clearing, operation of diesel engines, demolition, burning, and working with toxic materials are just a few of the many ways that the air quality can be affected. Construction sites can also generate high levels of dust that can carry over to large distances. There are, however, ways that you can help reduce these effects. You can help control dust by dampening down the site with fine water sprays. Proper time management on projects to keep things on task and reduce the amount of time that heavy equipment is used can also help protect the environment around the site.
Water Pollution
There are many sources and materials used during a construction project that can negatively affect the environment and pollute our water. Diesel oil, paint, solvents, cleaners, construction debris, and dirt are all things that can lead to slit-bearing run-off and sediment pollution. This then runs into natural waterways, destroying aquatic life. You can avoid run-off and erosion by minimizing your land disturbance as much as you can. Whenever possible, you should always use non-toxic paints and other nonhazardous materials. Keep in mind to cover and protect all drains on the job site, and do your best to collect as much wastewater as you can and dispose of it according to the required environmental regulations.
Being mindful of the equipment and materials used and how you can change your approach during construction project tasks to better serve the environment can truly make a difference, especially if we work together. As industry leaders
At G3 Quality, protecting our environment throughout the entire duration of our projects is one of our top priorities. To learn more about how our team can add value and expertise to your project, contact us.
