Labouring - how to cut waste and costs
How labourers can help to reduce waste and cut costs from building projects through efficient work practices.
It's important that waste is properly separated on site into three main types - inert, non-hazardous and hazardous. Ensure you know and recognise the different types - ask your supervisor if you don't know. Make sure you have the right protective clothing and equipment.
You can help to reduce the site's environmental impact and cut costs if you:
- know about the products you are handling by reading the labels
- get the trades to finish, rather than wasting, mixed materials such as concrete, plaster and adhesives
- never throw away insulation - use all offcuts and excess insulation to fill any gaps
- send back pallets - they can be reused and should never be wasted in a skip
- separate waste - if you have space, do not mix non-hazardous and inert waste as this can prevent recycling and increase disposal costs
- pack skips well - a skip can contain up to 70 per cent air because of gaps between waste materials
- aim to reduce packaging waste - at the end of a job, up to 35 per cent of waste is packaging - see how to reduce packaging waste on your construction site
- if your supplies are delivered in non-reusable dumpy bags, use the empty bags to separate your waste
- damp down dust with water when you are sweeping up - it helps to avoid impact on local air quality (but make sure you don't cause dirty water to run-off into drains and watercourses)
- know how you should handle hazardous waste
- know how to fill in a waste transfer note for waste that leaves the site
You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.
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