The mission to enforce more eco-friendly solutions is paving the way in today’s workforce. In fact, construction companies are discovering new ways to implement this cause and illustrate safety and recovery in the industry. It requires construction laborers to be smart throughout all processes, starting with design and leading to demolition. When buildings are demolished, what most people see are bundles of rubble and debris gone to waste. However, smart contractors and business owners are beginning to see that recovering materials from construction and demolition projects has more benefits than it does drawbacks. Fortunately, construction companies are now able to recover useful materials that can be used for future projects.

Benefits of Recovering Materials

Contractors and business owners have been discovering reliable resources found in piles of demolition debris. These materials can be collected for future construction and renovation projects. Additionally, they have provided:

• Environmental Benefits: Recovering materials from construction and demolition conserves landfill space and reduces greenhouse emissions. In fact, according to the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association, over 4,000 acres could be saved annually through the recovery of mixed construction and demolition materials and reclaimed asphalt pavement. Using recycled materials uses less energy and prevents the burning of fossil fuels. In conclusion, construction industries can now save 85 million barrels of oil and save the environment without processing raw materials.
• Economic Benefits: Furthermore, recovering materials saves money by reducing disposal and transportation costs. In addition, it saves from costs of purchasing new materials and equipment. By estimate, the construction industry can support thousands of jobs at U.S. recycling facilities. Recovering materials can result in billions of dollars in economic contribution.

Construction Outcomes

When the time comes to re-design buildings or get rid of them as a whole, construction companies determine solutions to resolve projects.

• Deconstruction: Dismantling large portions of a structure
• Demolition: The complete knock-down of a structure
• Renovation: Partially dismantling interior or exterior materials in order to repair and restore an existing structure.

The benefits of these construction outcomes are that companies can still enforce the idea of recovering materials. With a thorough search, you’ll be surprised to find a large amount of reusable resources. Also, workers can not only recover from these solutions but can also implement green design by building with 100% recycled materials. However, not all materials are recyclable. Nonetheless, they are still able to be reused for future construction strategies.

Recovering Materials on the Work Site

In regards to construction labor, recognizing the way workers handle deconstruction processes is important. Also, they must be aware of which materials are recyclable. How can construction laborers facilitate the process to be more efficient? When building new structures, a waste material recovery plan is highly beneficial. So, at the end of a structure’s life cycle, companies can be aware of how to handle the deconstruction process and how they can recover reusable materials. Some of these materials include:

• Wood
• Asphalt
• Metals
• Concrete
• Brick
• Gypsum Wallboard
• Roofing
• Steel

Steel is not only reusable but it is also recyclable. U.S. Bridge engineers and manufactures steel bridges from the bottom up. With speed, quality, and experience, we boost transportation for communities all across the globe. As our main building resource, steel proves to be durable, versatile, and sustainable. Lightweight and easy to repair, steel is the best material for bridges.

Green Design for Construction

More and more, companies are emphasizing resource efficiency within the industry. In fact, there is more incentive to reduce, reuse, and recycle construction waste than ever before. In fact, all across the globe there are people using eco-friendly materials and greener solutions in infrastructure. All in all, green design focuses on:

• Protecting the environment
• Enabling the health of people and wildlife
• Strengthening the durability and safety of structures

U.S. Bridge builds long lasting structures and supports impacting the environment during the process. In a previous U.S. Bridge article, we share the importance of green design and sustainable bridge building.

U.S. Bridge is on a Journey

At U.S. Bridge, we believe in connecting communities. Our bridges are designed with the highest quality steel and are built to fit your needs. Ultimately, the construction industry can collect a future’s worth of recovered materials if we start now. U.S. Bridge’s team of dedicated experts will ensure that our bridges are made with speed and quality care. Get a quote today!