Report Supports Importance of Construction Materials Recycling

McGraw-Hill Construction, based in New York City, has released a new report titled “Sustainable Construction Waste Management: Creating Value in the Built Environment,” which it says reveals that 61 percent of contractors rate waste management plans as the second most important aspect of green building, only behind energy efficiency. The new study was released Nov. 10 at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Phoenix and was produced with support from Waste Management Inc., based in Houston.

According to a press release announcing the report, the U.S. generated 143.5 million tons of building-related construction and demolition debris in 2008, but only 28 percent (40.2 million tons) was reused, recycled or sent to waste-to-energy facilities. The study indicates that contractors recognize the substantial impact that sustainable construction waste management can have on their businesses, and a growing number are adopting practices to reduce contributions to landfills.

By 2013, McGraw-Hill Construction projects that the green building market will be up to 25 percent of all new construction starts by value, equating to a $140 billion market. The company says this rapidly growing green share of the building market presents extensive market opportunities for green building aspects like waste management.

"Green building presents a huge market opportunity for construction firms," says Harvey Bernstein, vice president of global thought leadership and business development, McGraw-Hill Construction. "This report analyzes an important contributor to a successful green building plan: sustainable construction waste management. Firms at the forefront of the green movement are actively looking for ways to reduce, recycle and reuse materials -- actions that lead to decreased costs, improved client satisfaction, and compliance with growing government regulations."

"An increasing number of construction companies and their customers are seeking innovative and integrated project designs to waste management and environmental solutions from the design phase to construction and ultimately to occupancy and facility management," says Jim Halter, vice president for Construction Solutions, Waste Management. "Customer demands and regulatory pressures are driving change -- improving diversion and recycling rates and repurposing construction and demolition into other products. We are excited to share the results of this study to shed light on the behaviors, opinions and trends around sustainable waste management."

According to a company release, highlights from the “Sustainable Construction Waste Management” report include:        

• Most contractors place sustainable waste management (61 perecent) and responsible use of materials and resources (57 percent) as two of the three most important aspects of green building, behind energy efficiency. This importance is expected to increase in five years to 80 percent and 78 percent, respectively.
• Waste diversion activity is increasing despite the recession; 20 percent of firms are diverting half of their construction waste on 60 percent or more of projects, and 25 percent of firms expect to do so within the next year.
• The biggest drivers behind sustainable construction waste management practices include client demand (82 percent) and government regulations (81 percent). Competitive advantage (77 percent) and increases in education and awareness (75 percent) are also cited as major influencing factors.