Deconstructing construction waste: why collaboration is the solution to overflowing landfills

Minimizing our environmental impact is a global concern that affects every industry. The construction sector, in particular, utilizes a wide array of materials, where cost and efficiency often dictate how these materials are managed at the end of their life cycle.

“According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are nearly 600 million tons of debris created by construction and demolition in the United States—though construction makes up less than 10% of that total. Construction and demolition waste is nearly 23% of all waste created nationally, with an estimated 30% of building materials delivered to a construction site ending up as waste,” states Phil Goodin, Managing Director of Autex Acoustics® North America.

For most people, visits to the landfill are infrequent, even for those who handle waste regularly. Typically, trash is tossed into a bin and collected by a truck; once it leaves the site, it’s forgotten. Because we don’t witness our waste accumulating in landfills, it’s easy to overlook the fact that it doesn’t simply disappear but becomes part of a growing pile eventually buried by dirt, with new holes created for more waste. Landfills not only destroy habitats but also release pollutants into the air, soil, and groundwater.

By diverting and reducing waste in landfills, we can minimize the need for new landfill sites, thereby reducing land pollution, unsafe habitats for native wildlife, carbon emissions, and the production of single-use or hazardous materials.

While effective on-site waste management is crucial, architects have a significant role in waste reduction by specifying products designed with sustainability in mind.

“Architects and designers constantly consider the best use of materials in their projects, which includes those that can be recycled at end of life.” Goodin explains. “Building product manufacturers like Autex Acoustics are continually looking at innovative ways to reduce our impact on the environment. Building product manufacturers can also offer takeoff services to ensure contractors get exactly what they need for the job without significant over-ordering.”

Manufacturers must support architects by developing and providing sustainable materials.

“At Autex Acoustics we lead the way when it comes to sustainability and other initiatives—our pelletizing technologies for example.” Says Goodin.

“As we continue to push the boundaries of sustainability in the United States market, it will challenge others in our industry to follow suit, particularly around end-of-life solutions for PET products. Transparency is key, and programs like the Autex Acoustics Takeback program, SpinFix™, and even products like Lanes are designed to make recycling, which is usually a convoluted and confusing process, as simple as possible.”

Addressing the construction waste issue requires a collective effort from all stakeholders in the industry.

“The collaboration has already begun with building standards being continually reviewed and improved to ensure the materials used in construction benefit both the building occupants and the environment,” Goodin explains. “Labels like Declare require building product manufacturers to disclose the contents of their materials, which helps designers choose products destined for the landfill once their lifecycle in a building is done. This challenge is also a great opportunity now to work together to achieve something significant that will having an impact on generations to come.”