Construction and demolition materials are valuable commodities, but they make up over a third of the materials that go to landfill.
Much of the timber, plastics, polystyrene, plasterboard, metals, rubble and topsoil that gets dumped could be reused or recycled. On-site sorting, changes to construction practices, and designing out the ‘waste’ in the first place can all help divert materials from landfill.
Check out what some local businesses have done to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill, and get inspired about how you can introduce sustainable practices into your own work.
You can find more information and resources at the bottom of this page.
We can help you reduce construction and demolition waste
A construction and demolition sorting area is already planned as part of the redevelopment and upgrading of the Green Island Resource Recovery Park over the next few years. Just as importantly, we are building relationships and bringing industry players together to foster collaborative action.
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Sign up to our mailing listBRANZ resource recovery map
The resource recovery map enables you to find locations to drop off construction and demolition waste for reuse or recycling. The recent increase in landfill costs makes it even more important to plan your waste drop-off strategically, saving costs and reducing construction waste to landfill.
REBRI toolbox
The REBRI toolbox is designed to help builders, construction managers, and project managers to manage their building material waste effectively, steering it away from landfills. The toolbox provides guidance and an easy-to-complete waste minimisation plan.
Wastehub
WasteHub is a free-to-access, web-based resource designed to answer the most common waste-related questions in construction. It’s the product of years of fieldwork, providing builders with easy, actionable advice for reducing waste.
WasteHub was co-created by the Environmental Innovation Centre (EIC) and WasteX™ and is co-funded by the Plastic Innovation Fund, Marley, Mitre 10, and Waste Management.
Construction Case Studies
Two construction companies are leading the way locally by reducing waste and reusing or recycling materials from their sites.
Cook Brothers - Te Puna o Whakaehu
As part of its contract to build Te Puna o Whakaehu, the new pool in Mosgiel, Cook Brothers Construction was proactive in reducing waste from the site. The company worked hard to recycle and re-use materials during the build.
They also employed Sustainability Carpenter Dan. He re-purposed both treated and untreated timber from the site and created items for community groups, schools, the Cook Brothers team, and clients.
The company hopes to take what it has learned to improve its on-site practices for future projects and inspire others in the industry to follow its lead. Its work in this area demonstrates how planning waste minimisation into demolition and construction projects can not only save money, but also benefit the environment and local communities.
Cook Brothers waste minimisation in the construction industry
Naylor Love - He Toki Kai Te Rika
Naylor Love completed the construction of He Toki Kai Te Rika, the Otago Polytechnic Trades Training Centre. Recognising its obligation to future generations to minimise its impact on the environment, the company committed to taking a lead on sustainable construction practices and hopes to inspire other companies to act in similar ways.
On-site sorting and separation of waste meant that most materials were completely diverted from landfill. The company has also introduced regular ‘toolbox talks’ on site, aimed at enhancing environmental awareness and educating the construction teams. Sharing what they are doing is a way of inspiring other building companies to look at things differently and help to pave the way for the industry to change behaviour.