Sustainability in the Construction Industry

Mar 11, 2020

Many companies in the construction industry are now beginning to put sustainability at the forefront of their operation and practice.

Whether you are a sole trader or a large corporation, there are important steps you can take to encourage green practice across your whole operation.

What is Sustainable Construction?

Essentially, sustainable construction is focused on reducing the overall impact of your business on the environment. That can include resourcing renewable or recyclable supplies, cutting down waste and focusing on energy savings, to protect the environment.

It’s not just about that either – sustainable construction firms should also be focused on health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Why is Sustainability so Important?

Firstly, climate change is a growing concern and a topic that is currently at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Construction firms are being encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint to help make a bigger impact on reducing the effects of climate change and build a better future for all.

Secondly, there are rules about the removal and disposal of waste, which all those working in construction should be aware of. These rules help to not only maintain high levels of health and safety across all types of businesses within the industry, from supplier to building site, but also detail appropriate ways of managing waste disposal, which can in turn prevent further damage to our environment. (Read more about these rules on the HSE website).

How to be More Sustainable in Your Construction Business

There are number of different things that construction companies can do to improve their sustainable practice.

Having a plan for sustainability is vital for a start. It pays to sit down and review your current practice on a regular basis and understand how it can be made more efficient and better for the planet. A sustainability audit shouldn’t just look at what suppliers you use and how much you send to landfill but your companywide processes and their impact on the environment.

Ideally, this plan needs to be written down and procedures put in place to make sure that it is implemented. Changes to your business operation may include:

• Making your business energy efficient. This could mean reducing the fuel bill for your office, switching to electric vans, using efficient tools and machinery and employing better scheduling for when certain equipment is used.
• Handle waste sustainably. That means reducing, recycling and repurposing where possible and not sending as much to landfill. That also requires you to have a formal waste handling policy in place.
• Build partnerships that share your green approach to building. Construction companies don’t operate in isolation and making sure that suppliers and third-party contractors are focused on sustainability is just as important as internal mechanisms.
• Maintain your equipment properly. Making sure that your tools are working at an optimum level ensures you are not wasting energy or money.

Clients are starting to look for eco-friendly buildings too and are more likely to choose a construction partner that has a strong Environmental Policy in place. We all know that becoming sustainable doesn’t happen overnight but by making a start, no matter how big or small a change you are able to make – everything you do will help to contribute to a positive change towards being more eco-friendly.

At strukta Group, we are committed to encouraging improvement in all areas that impact the environment and we hold the ISO14001 accreditation. Read more about our company values here.

If you are a construction company operating in the South of England and you are searching for competitively priced building products, and Construction Solutions delivered FAST, call our team of experts on 033 3321 0013 or check out our website today!