Construction sites produce a variety of waste materials that can be reused, recycled, or properly disposed of. Often, this waste can be thrown away in the dumpster on the construction site; however, there’s a chance that some of the materials you are dealing with shouldn’t be disposed of normally.
Below, RubbishBegone.co.uk shares the most common types of construction waste and the appropriate method to dispose of them.
Concrete, Bricks, Tiles, Cement, and Ceramics
This waste can easily get messy!
Between broken up concrete and tile, you might find yourself having many tiny pieces left over. The best “piece” of advice that we can give you is to try to keep as many large sections together as you can.
Use large and strong trash bags when collecting these items to avoid sharp edges that could poke through and cause injury.
For additional help, consider our builders’ waste rubbish removal service.
Wood, Glass, and Plastic
When disposing of wood, glass, and plastic, you can usually find a way to reuse these items. Wood can often be reused for other building projects. When it can’t be reused, make sure you dispose of it safely.
Cut the wood chunks into smaller pieces and tie them together—this will make them easier to handle. Extra wood can usually be recycled as long as it is not treated or painted.
Not all facilities accept glass or certain types of plastic, so confirm ahead of time before trying to recycle. If they cannot recycle your items, take your materials to a processing facility or place them in a construction site rental dumpster. According to Bin There Dump That, it’s best to use 15- or 20-yard dumpsters suited for construction projects.
Bituminous Mixtures, Coal Tar, and Tar
These materials also require a permitted facility to dispose of them properly. Most hazardous waste facilities will allow the disposal of this waste at no additional charge. When disposing of material such as tar, ensure that it is fully dried out before throwing it out.
Wait a couple of days to make sure it’s completely dried out.
Metallic Waste (Pipes)
Check to see if and where you can recycle metallic items. If they can’t be recycled, most junkyards take large pieces. But, if your metal pieces are small and you don’t feel that the junkyard is the right place, then use a construction dumpster or waste facility.
Although steel isn’t technically a metal, it’s a common construction site material and is highly recyclable.
Soil, Stones, and Dredging
When it comes to stones and soil, reusing is your first and best option.
Reach out to your local gardening facilities if you don’t have a personal use for stones and soil. Chances are someone in your community will have a way to reuse these materials. If you can’t find someone to take these materials out of your hands, then turn to a local waste management facility.
Be sure not to dump your soil or stones just anywhere—most places require a permit for dumping.
Paints and Varnishes
Whatever you do when disposing of paints and varnishes, do not dump them down your sink or any plumbing. The paint will dry up inside of your pipes!
Most recycling and trash facilities will not accept any paint in liquid form. Be sure to dry your paints out completely before disposing of them. If you’re throwing away household paint, most trash companies offer hazardous waste collection. This is the best time to dispose of paint materials.
Adhesives and Sealants
Like many other items on this list, you may need to dispose of these items at hazardous waste facilities. Some adhesives are solvent-based and flammable, so they shouldn’t be disposed of in a regular trash receptacle. If your glue or adhesive is water-based, then you will throw it away in a residential trash receptacle. As with paint and tar, be sure to let these materials dry out completely before attempting to dispose of them.
There’s usually a way to dispose of construction waste without just throwing it out. Be sure to follow proper guidelines by disposing of certain construction materials. Whether these materials can be recycled or not, all construction sites should contain high-quality dumpsters.