Construction Waste Recycling

Recycling is New Zealand’s Future

New Zealand builders can change how they use materials and manage them throughout their life to produce less waste reuse and recycle more, divert materials wherever possible and send waste to landfills only as a last resort. The great news is that nearly all common construction materials can be recycled, including concrete, plasterboard, wood, metal, glass, and some plastics.

What Are Some of the Problems?

• An average of 5 - 6 tonnes of construction waste (new materials) is produced for every average-sized 3-bedroom house
• Construction waste represents 50% of all waste generated in New Zealand
• Most construction waste is new materials that you have bought and paid for

Time, Money & Effort?

Auckland Builders. It’s easy to recycle your construction waste. No extra time or effort is required. Green Gorilla delivers a service that provides impressive waste sustainability. In fact, we can achieve more than 70% waste diversion. You can concentrate on building, and we’ll focus on recycling. You'll get peace of mind that your company is doing its part for New Zealand’s future and the health of everyone in your community.

4 Construction Waste Minimisation Suggestions

1/. Ordering and obtaining materials

• Order the correct amount of material
• Plan for delivery as required to minimise storage time on site
• Confirm dimensions before ordering materials/components
• Check all inwards goods against materials collected
• Use prefabricated materials and components where possible

2/. Storage and use of materials

• Store materials, so they are protected from the weather and potential damage
• Confirm measurements before cutting or fabrication
• Use recycled aggregate for concrete
• Use recycled steel for reinforcement
• Return unused materials to the supplier as soon as possible – don’t let them sit on site

3/. Reduce the amount of waste

• Choose low waste packaging, e.g., gib adhesive in sausages rather than tubes
• Reuse offcuts, e.g., of gib, timber
• Use hard wastes such as concrete tiles as fill for paved areas
• Don’t forget liquid wastes, e.g., plaster and paint wash up 

4/. Before construction starts

• Ensure all subcontractors are aware of your recycling policies and requirements

Contact Green Gorilla for your Auckland Recycling & Waste Solutions. 

WHAT HAPPENS TO MOST AUCKLAND CONSTRUCTION WASTE?

Auckland Council estimates construction waste is the most significant single waste stream, with around 40 per cent of total weight going to landfills. This doesn’t include the rubble and concrete that go to clean fill and managed fill sites. Generally, construction and demolition waste is still dumped straight to landfill. This is common across most of NZ. Remember that waste disposal is controlled by each local authority, not the government, so there is no obligation or regulation to discourage this behaviour.

IS THERE ANY IMPACT ON NZ's ENVIRONMENT?

You only have to look at events on the West Coast of New Zealand, where coastal erosion and storms exposed landfills and spread waste along the coast. There are 110 known closed dumps around parts of the country that will be exposed to the sea with just a 0.5-metre rise in average sea levels. Auckland has 88 of those sites.
A landfill is not inevitable, and by designing out waste, understanding its root causes and re-engineering current processes and practices, we can alleviate its generation. At every stage of a construction project, waste reduction strategies also bring financial benefits to all stakeholders and New Zealanders.

WHAT HAPPENS TO CONSTRUCTION WASTE AT GREEN GORILLA?

Construction and demolition rubbish is run through our Construction and Demolition Waste Processing Facility. Here we separate recyclable materials such as timber, plasterboard and metals from landfill waste. Our wood chipping operation diverts treated and untreated wood for biofuel, animal bedding, and landscaping products. The plasterboard processing plant successfully separates gypsum for use in horticultural and agricultural sectors. Metals are sent to specialist metal recycling plants for processing.

IS WASTE RECYCLING DIFFICULT FOR CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES?

It couldn't be easier. There's no special equipment or time-consuming processes that will interrupt your building projects.

If you are building to Green Star or HomeStar standards, we provide approved reporting and are significant supporters of these sustainable building tools. Your company can also create marketing opportunities that promote your environmentally responsible building practices.

Contact Green Gorilla today.