Green and Clean Construction Sites

When working in construction, how often do you consider the materials being used and, more importantly, those being left behind?

It isn't a sector that most people contemplate when they think about being green and environmentally friendly yet, just like any other industry, they should play their part in going green.

Doing so can help the world, improve your business’ public image or simply boost morale. To this end, here are a few effective ways to improve your construction operations and go green.

Disposal

In most cases, the majority of materials can be recycled. Wood, metal and plastic are common examples.

As the world increasingly looks for sustainability, the construction sector is one area that should be leading the way. It is one thing to have a sustainable building but the process itself should be equally beneficial.

Luckily, there are plenty of disposal options for construction sites to use and it’s important to remember that government rulings dictate that all construction projects In England with a valued of over £300,000 must have a site waste management plan (SWMP) in place.

This should outline what waste your site will produce, how it will be disposed of, who will be responsible for the disposal process and the details of site where your waste will be sent.

Construction waste disposal provided by Bywaters is just one example a carrier who will handle your waste disposal for you and, if used, would be included within relevant SWMPs.

Materials

As stated, most materials can easily be recycled but that is still no excuse to not be proactive in your initial choice. Some, such as concrete, are not known for being environmentally friendly being both difficult to make and reuse.

An alternative choice would prove beneficial in a number of areas and many modern buildings now use metals and glass far more widely in the designs. Aside from creating the modern look seen in sleek city or urban residences, this approach uses materials that can (and may have already been) recycled.

As this area becomes more important, being able to offer such environmental benefits will help your company appeal to those who hold this as a high priority. Many people are concerned about their carbon footprint and don't want to be the owner of an impacting build.

What can't be recycled?

There will always be certain areas of construction where recycling isn't as easy, such as when dealing with hazardous waste. Yet even here there is always something that can be done.

Specific companies and services deal with this waste safely and find other uses for it where possible. An environmental service, such as Bywaters, can advise you on the safest way to get rid of these sorts of materials so that you’re business is kept as green as possible.

Cheap water storage solutions for your business

So you need to find a way to store water at your work site? You’ve already looked into permanent tanks, but they don’t suit your needs, are too expensive, or you can’t leave a permanent tank behind when the job is over. Why not consider a cheap and portable alternative below?

Onion Tanks

Onion tanks (also known as collar tanks) are portable self-supporting tanks made from collapsible fabric. These collapsible tanks are open topped with a foam-filled ring at the top, creating a floating collar. As the tank is filled with water, the collar floats while keeping the water securely inside, while allowing easy access. The top covers are completely removable, so when you need water fast, no time or water is wasted. 

Using an onion tank affords many benefits, including rapid set-up time, compact and easily transportable to remote locations. Onion tanks are made from a variety of low maintenance, easy to clean materials, and come with a ground sheet/carry bag to ensure that your tank is packaged and stored safely every time.

The most common uses of onion tanks include storage of drinking water, harvesting rainwater, and storage of water for fire-fighting. Other areas you could use onion tanks in your business include storing chemicals, contaminated waste and fuel.

Pillow Tanks

Pillow tanks (also known as bladders or bladder tanks) are versatile collapsible tanks ideal for temporary water storage. These tanks are often used where a significant volume of liquid is required to be stored onsite, but permanent storage would be either inefficient or overly expensive. One key benefit is that these tanks can be deployed and redeployed quickly, reducing the possibility of schedule issues or keeping personnel on extended standby. 

The applications of pillow tanks are far-ranging, including water storage for businesses, disaster relief, military use, and for both water and chemical storage in construction and mining sectors. These sturdy tanks can hold water, fuels, a variety of chemicals, oils, gases, various liquids, effluent and slurries. For business use, pillow tanks can store up to 1,000,000 litres per tank, but are also available in smaller volumes for use in extended 4WD travel, and remote liquid storage. When empty, pillow tanks are light and take up very little space, making it a good choice when storage availability is limited.

Constructed from reinforced, heavy-duty PVC or Polyurethane Polymer, pillow tanks are both chemical and ultraviolet light resistant, algae resistant, and tough against abrasions. Unlike onion tanks, pillow tanks have a range of accessories available for different uses. These are key reasons that pillow tanks are NATO certified and currently in use by the Australian Defence Force. For the specific needs of your business, tanks can also be customised to the job. Look into companies such as Fabric Solutions to see what tanks would best suit your business.

Financial Freedom and Networking

A lot of people struggle to find a regular day job to earn enough money to sustain their families. You can see a guys giving out “fast cash schemes” and “work at home” fliers printed from a wholesale flyer printing company encouraging passing citizens to try and have a look at what social networking can offer you. 

If you are interested in making money online, you might want to try network marking through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. There are now a multitude of networkers working around the globe and taking advantage of advertising and marketing through different online platforms. You can also do the same and work your way from a struggling office worker to someone enjoying financial freedom through networking.