Every year, about 40% of all waste generated throughout Australia comes from the construction and demolition industries.
This is an enormous figure, and a large portion of that 40% is made up of wood waste.
On a construction or demolition site, there are a number of ways wood waste can be handled sustainably, and smartly.
Separate It On-site
The best practice to make handling wood waste as easy as possible is to separate it from other waste, on-site.
That is, instead of throwing it all into a pile or a skip with the other waste (metal, plaster, tiles), have a pile or allocate a bin just for wood waste.
This makes it far easier to recycle the wood later on.
Grade the Wood
The Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) in the United Kingdom has identified four grades of waste wood. They are:
Grade A
This is clean recycled wood, untreated and coming from items such as pallets and secondary manufacture.
Grade B
This wood includes construction and demolition waste. Often suitable for manufacturing panelboard.
Grade C
Fuel grade wood, from all of the above material which isn’t in good enough condition to reuse or recycle, so is good for burning.
Grade D
This consists of hazardous waste, so all treated wood including fencing and MDF, which requires special disposal.
Reuse It
Plenty of reusable wood is simply thrown away on most building sites.
Instead of throwing it into landfill, save offcuts to use on another construction project. Alternatively, donate it to another contractor for use on their building projects.
Mulch It
So long as the wood is not treated, you can mulch scraps that might not be able to be reused on another project.
Treated wood can cause soil pollution, so ensure that Grade D wood is not mulched under any circumstances.
Mulched wood is useful for garden beds and paths, and can be on-sold for a profit.
Burn It
If you’re not able to reuse the wood, you can use it as fuel yourself, or on sell it as firewood.
There is a large online market for firewood, and this can be accessed through a number of classifieds and second-hand websites.
This is a better alternative to allowing the waste wood to just end up in landfill.
Utilise a Construction Waste Removal Company
If you’re unsure of how to handle your construction waste, or simply don’t want to deal with the headache, utilise a waste removal contractor like Sydney City Rubbish.
We’re well versed in removing construction waste, and ensure that all types of construction rubbish are recycled or disposed of responsibly.
Furthermore, we’re committed to sustainability and always dedicated to giving you the best experience possible.
To discuss your waste removal needs, get in contact here.
