The lifecycle of construction waste from generation to disposal..

Every construction site leaves behind more than just a finished building. It generates a mix of construction waste. Managing construction waste is part of keeping sites safe and handling materials responsibly. Without the right approach, these materials often go to landfills, however, effective practices transform them into valuable resources to reduce landfill waste, conserve natural resources and lower carbon emissions.

According to the National Waste Report 2022, the construction and demolition (C&D) sector generated 29 million tonnes of waste in Australia. Enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground while representing 38% of the nation’s total waste production.

However, in Victoria, the circular economy is taking off, where yesterday’s waste becomes tomorrow’s building blocks. The recovery rate for construction and demolition materials, including aggregates, masonry and soil, was 83% in 2022–23, as reported in the Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan 2024.

Waste collection and sorting methods

While large-scale projects often have the resources to recover materials efficiently, smaller residential builders can face challenges in managing and reducing their waste footprint. 

Construction waste management doesn’t have to be a burden. With the right systems in place, you can keep your site clean, safe and sustainable while saving on disposal costs. 

On-site organisation

• Develop a waste management plan before breaking ground. Identify the waste types your project will generate and allocate space for sorting E-Bags™ or skips.
  
• Separate at the source with clearly labelled bins for different materials like timber, metals, concrete, plasterboard and general waste to prevent contamination.
  
• Protect materials like plasterboard, timber and metals from weather damage by storing them in covered areas. Keeping materials clean and dry not only prevents waste but also ensures they remain recyclable and reusable.
  
• Schedule frequent pickups to avoid overflowing bins and maintain a safe and tidy site.
  
• Engage the team by training workers and subcontractors on proper waste segregation and recycling practices through toolbox talks and clear signage.

Recycling and repurposing

Putting waste materials to good use can starts with smart recovery:

• Facilities repurpose timber offcuts by using them in framing or processing them into mulch or biofuel.
  
• Recycling plants turn concrete and bricks into aggregates for new construction projects or road bases.
  
• Separated steel and aluminium can be recycled endlessly, achieving recovery rates of up to 87%. E-Bags™ and skip bins efficiently collect and sort materials for recycling.

For hazardous or hard-to-recycle materials like asbestos or contaminated soil and Hebel, hire licensed professionals who can safely handle and dispose of these wastes according to EPA regulations. 

Successful repurposing initiatives

With Victoria’s population expected to grow to 10.3 million by 2051, the state expects a 40% increase in waste generation by 2046, further emphasising the need for resilient circular economy systems. Victoria’s 2022-23 circularity rate (the percentage of recycled consumed materials) was 7.5%. 

The waste, recycling and resource recovery sector in Victoria has an economic value exceeding $4.4 billion, highlighting its economic and environmental significance. Government policies like the Recycled First Policy encourage the use of recycled materials in infrastructure projects. Initiatives such as Revival Projects and RepurposeIT demonstrate successful repurposing construction materials. 

Doing your part for the circular economy

Contact us at Enviro Waste Management to learn how we can streamline your construction waste management and disposal processes for a safer, cleaner site and more sustainable future.