Demolition can create a great deal of mess, with materials such as steel, concrete, carpets, roofing and flooring brought to the ground. Many people worry about the impact demolition has on the environment. However, the industry has made big changes over the years, with companies aiming to recycle as much as possible. Read on to find out what happens to the building materials during demolition.
How are construction and demolition companies reducing waste?
More and more businesses like ProDEM are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Companies can save and reuse around 90% of materials after a demolition project. The more they save, the more the industry can contribute to the environment. A great deal of construction and demolition businesses aim to recycle around 90% of the waste that they generate. When waste material is recycled, this means fewer new materials need to be made and used. This means recycling can be very cost-efficient for companies based in the construction industry. To find out more about the kind of materials that can be recycled after a building has been demolished, keep reading.
Materials used in the construction industry
The construction industry uses more materials than any other sector in the UK, making it the biggest producer of waste. In 2016, the construction and demolition industry was responsible for around 61% of all waste. However, stats from the UK Government say that around 91% of non-hazardous waste from construction and demolition projects undergoes recycling. A great deal of this is asphalt, brick and concrete, which can create aggregates.
Wood and metal
When considering what happens to the building materials during demolition, wood and metal may come to mind first. Since importing wood for new projects can very costly, reusing it is advisable. Sending wood to landfill can be a substantial waste of resources, and so companies should avoid doing this whenever possible. A great deal of metal is recycled each year after buildings are demolished too. Once metals have been shredded, they become simpler to melt, purify and remould so they can be used for further construction projects.
Aggregates and insulation
Most construction projects use aggregates consisting of loose rocks and other materials. These aggregates are suitable for various applications, including creating foundations, bases and roads. Once nuts, bolts, and other unwanted objects are removed from insulation, it can normally be recycled.
Concrete and bricks
Concrete and bricks can become rubble, making them ideal for use in future construction projects. The rubble can create concrete aggregate. However, contaminants need to be removed first.
What can’t be recycled or re-used?
Some materials cannot be re-used for future construction projects. For instance, contaminated materials need disposing of responsibly. These can include materials that have been contaminated with asbestos and chemicals. Using these materials again could be unsafe and can compromise the integrity of new structures.
How ProDEM can help with your demolition project
At ProDEM, we have vast experience when it comes to providing demolition services in Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester. We have a vast customer network, with many repeat clients. All our work is in line with the strictest guidelines. We are passionate about minimising our carbon footprint and have undergone full training in all aspects of safe, efficient demolition. Having demolished a whole host of structures over the years, we can be counted on to deliver the quality you require.
Meeting your demolition needs
No matter how big or small your site is, you can count on us to meet your expectations. We’re also able to offer some of the best prices for demolition services in the region, without ever forcing you to compromise on quality. Perhaps you need to demolish an older building that’s housing asbestos? Whether you’re sure the building has asbestos or you simply suspect that it’s present, we can help. We are able to carry out asbestos surveys and can remove the materials from any building safely. We fully guarantee all the work we carry out.
Soft strip services
ProDEM are specialists in derating buildings and stripping outbuilding internals. We can provide our soft strip services before larger-scale demolition or refurbishment work. We remove all recyclable materials including plastics, metal and timber carefully during this process.
Site clearance services
Talk to us today to find out more about our exceptional site clearance services. Whatever structure you’re demolishing, you’ll generate a great deal of waste. We can help you clear it safely before further work commences. We can clear various hazardous materials safely and compliantly.
High reach demolition services
We have been providing high and long reach demolition work to our customers for many years. Our demolition experts use long reach excavators to complete a range of demolition projects. Our machinery is big and powerful enough to demolish particularly large buildings. Once your demolition is complete, we can clean your site efficiently to help you comply with regulations and prepare the site for the next stage of the process. We also offer various plant hire services, allowing you to access powerful mini diggers, bobcats, and 360 excavators.
Contact us
Now that you know what happens to the building materials during demolition, you should feel confident about choosing ProDEM for your project. You are more than welcome to contact us at any point if you do have any queries about the eco-friendly demolition services in Nottingham, and Leicester that we offer. Our customer service team are waiting to hear from you right now. Call us on 0115 775 0307 (Nottingham), 0116 430 0273 (Leicester), 0133 231 4065 (Derby) or 0114 419 0247 (Sheffield) or send us a message via the form on the website. We’ll aim to get back to you as soon as we can.