Design for Less Construction and Demolition Waste

Designing for less waste means minimizing excess material on a jobsite and planning ahead for any waste that will be created. Does the building owner have furniture from their previous tenant that you can use? Are there opportunities to “do more with less”? How easily can the building be transitioned to different uses? These are some thoughts that go into reducing construction and demolition waste on a jobsite.

Here are a few ways you can design for less waste:

• Reduce extra inventory – only buy what you need when it comes to construction materials and finishes.
• Reduce packaging – work with suppliers or require suppliers to reduce nonessential packaging on project materials.
• Use modular or prefab construction – incorporate construction methods that design out waste through a factory-controlled process that is not impacted by weather conditions, theft, or loss of material on a job site.
• Design for deconstruction and disassembly - use construction methods that allow for disassembly at the end of a building’s life.
• Use take back programs – specify materials that have manufacturer take back programs or that can be recycled at the end of life.
• Use non-toxic materials – specify materials that are non-toxic or low hazard, such as low or no volatile organic compound (VOC) paint or drywall made with natural gypsum.

Learn about a local example of prefabrication and mass timber construction: Nashville Warehouse Company Office