Do you want to recycle construction waste and handle it in the most environmentally friendly way possible? Then you've come to the right place! Over time, buildings get older and the personal requirements of their occupants naturally change. Whether it's a house, shed or carport, a new build, conversion, renovation or demolition - construction waste is always unavoidable.
Nevertheless, we consumers have countless options for dealing with bricks, wood scraps, roof tiles and other building waste as sustainably as possible. For example, many materials can be reused in public road and path construction or for the construction of noise barriers.
With this article, I would like to make it easier for you to recycle construction waste. You'll learn how to correctly separate and dispose of construction waste, but also how you can recycle and upcycle it at home as sensibly as possible. Let's go!
You can find a brief overview of the tips and ideas here in advance:
- Calculate material and quantities of construction waste
- Decide on a later disposal option
- Know the difference between construction waste and mixed construction waste
- Separate construction waste sensibly
- Using old roof tiles as protection for bee hotels
- Upcycling converted ceiling beams into furnishings and decorations
- Reuse brick and quarry stone in garden design
- Using leftover concrete as a foundation for garden sheds and sheds
- Building unique tables from old wooden planks
- Have unusable construction waste picked up and recycled
1. calculate the material and quantities of the building rubble
Who with own building projects Conserve resources, reduce construction waste, save costs and protect the environment should generally calculate as accurately as possible in order to minimize any Avoid an overabundance of building materials.
It is advisable to know the approximate Amount of unavoidable construction waste in cubic meters (m³). This works for a wall to be demolished, for example, by adding Multiply length, width and depth.
You should also get an overview of this, how many different types of construction waste are involved in your project.
2. decide on a later disposal option
Finally, it is important to calculate the quantity as accurately as possible in advance in order to be able to decide whether you one or more containers need and whether you Remove building rubble yourself or have it collected.
How much and, above all, which construction waste is to be recycled or reused later on plays an important role in the optimum Size and number of containers, trailers or other receptacles.
Smaller quantities, for example, can usually be take it to the local recycling center yourself with a trailer.
If you have a large amount of mixed construction waste and rubble, you can here simply one each Skip container with the necessary volume on the desired date, which will be both delivered and collected by the local waste management company.
3. know the difference between construction waste and mixed construction waste
If you want to reuse old building materials or dispose of them properly, it is important to know which items can be used as Construction waste apply and which ones to Mixed construction waste count.
Here is a brief overview:
- Construction debris: Construction waste is mineral waste from building work, such as bricks, mortar, plaster, screed, concrete, tiles or ceramics. Construction waste is a building material and can be recycled to a large extent.
- Mixed construction waste: Mixed construction waste refers to non-mineral construction material waste, such as plastics, wood or metals. This can be, for example, tarpaulins, drainpipes, demolition wood, glass panes, plasterboard, wallpaper residues or foils.
With this knowledge, the construction waste can then be separated more easily and effectively in order to Minimize both the effort and the cost of disposal.
4. separate construction waste sensibly
So you know what construction waste your project will generate. Check with your local waste management company whether there are special requirements for the disposal of the respective material. Ideally, you will then have a container or bin ready for all materials to be separated.
In principle, the following applies: the more you separate yourself, the cheaper the disposal will besince the sorting effort in the recycling process is lower. Accordingly, it is advisable to sort the materials directly at the place of origin to be separated before they are mixed together.
Important: Also try to ensure that the construction waste is free of contaminants. For example, wooden boards should no longer contain any nails or screws.
5. use old roof tiles as protection for bee hotels
Do not throw anything away carelesslybut always try to find a new use for the rubble before you dispose of it!
If you want to recycle or upcycle construction waste, you can "kick it up a notch" in terms of sustainability by using Euro pallets, roof tiles and other, remaining building material an individual Insect hotel and build the Promoting species conservation.
The roof tiles thus get a second chance in her old role and protect bees and other insects, as well as their new home, from the rain.
6. upcycling removed ceiling beams into furnishings and decorations
Many wooden parts from buildings are incinerated after demolition. If you want to not only recycle but also reuse building materials, you can do this with solid ceiling beams in particular! For example, turn them into a rustic Bench, in a Pendant light with industrial charm above the dining table or beautiful Storage compartments in the bathroom.
Also unique Candle holders, wine bottle holders, seat stools, shelves, coffee tables, coat hooks. or Wall clocks can be made from it.
Tip: Many people are desperately looking for old ceiling beams for their own DIY projects. So if you don't have any use for them, you can simply Sell via classified ads or your personal network.
7. reuse brick and quarry stone in garden design.
Bricks, quarry stones, floor slabs and other construction waste are Materials that can be used and applied in a variety of ways. If they no longer fulfill their original function, the garden is the ideal place to use them in a different role.
How about, for example, if you could turn quarry stones into a Garden wall, a Border or a Herb spiral process? The rubble can even be used to build an excellent drainage system so that the water can seep away.
The floor panels can be used, for example, as individual Stepping stones of a sidewalk into a garden. Many materials can even be used to create interesting sculptures. As you can see, there are no limits to creativity and imagination when it comes to recycling building materials.
8. use leftover concrete as a foundation for garden sheds and sheds
Demolition concrete really is first-class filling material and can be mixed in very well for the foundations of patio or garden shed areas. However, it is important that the concrete pieces are not too large. However, you can also chop them up if necessary and then recycle them. This tip could save you some costs and is definitely easy on the natural resources of the planet.
9. build unique furniture from old wooden planks
The boards of a demolished garden shed, broken building planks or the oak flooring of a former pigsty, for example, can be wonderfully transformed into tables and other pieces of furniture. Thus, the material is further used and does not have to be disposed of. You also get great, unique furniture and saves a lot of money through sustainable behavior.
Here are some, matching instructions from the DIY furniture blogthat you should definitely take a look at:
- Build dining table yourself from old wooden planks
- DIY coffee table from oak planks
- Homemade industrial look bedside tables
10. have unusable construction waste picked up and recycled
Construction waste, mixed construction waste and other materials from your construction project are now reused by you if possible or sensibly separated has been disposed of. The waste can then be collected and recycled by the waste disposal company. If the amount of waste is limited, you can of course also take it to the recycling center yourself.
The mineral building materials are particularly easy to recycle and are then used, for example, as a base for roads or for backfilling railroad embankments.
Tip: I have also written a separate blog article about Sustainable clear-outs written. Take a look at it. You also have many opportunities to conserve resources and reuse materials sensibly.
Recycle construction waste and reuse it as sustainably as possible!
Now you know how you can save both our planet's resources and your wallet by recycling construction waste and reusing materials.
Through your sustainable behavior Among other things, you help to save valuable raw materials and resources, such as Energy and waterthat are unavoidable for the production of new building materials. At the same time, you reduce your CO2 emissions and of course your ecological footprint.
Do you have any questions, suggestions or other tips for recycling, using, separating or disposing of construction waste? Then feel free to write me a comment with your ideas.
Stay sustainable,
PS: If you are interested in recycling construction waste, you may also be interested in the Recovery of raw materials through the reconditioning of existing goods of a city or urban environment. More about the so-called Urban Mining you can now find out in the linked blog article.
