Construction site waste management: a challenge for everyone
In 2023, we had the opportunity to participate in the pilot project on sorting materials on construction sites, an APCHQ initiative managed by Stratzer. It opened our eyes to several aspects of waste management. We want to share everything we learned with you, our customers, but also with our fellow contractors. The goal here is to promote best practices for all industry stakeholders.
Digital project management for better collaboration
The digital project management system we use allowed Stratzer to easily access the necessary information while respecting our clients’ confidentiality. Such a system greatly facilitates communication between the various stakeholders on a project, even when they involve third parties.
Ensure waste is properly sorted
Another crucial element is ensuring the waste’s destination. We ensured that our business partners forward source-sorted materials (wood, gypsum, cardboard, metal) to an ecocenter or sorting center. The ecocenter is the best option, as the materials are destined for recycling. You can find information on the City of Montreal or your borough’s website.
Other solutions for debris management
If you are unable to confirm that your waste is properly sorted and sent to an ecocenter, another solution is to use the city’s curbside pickup service. This method is more limited for large construction sites, but it is very effective for smaller amounts of debris. Customers must use their bins or follow city guidelines, such as stacking or securing boxes.
Reducing waste at source: an ideal solution
The best way to manage waste is to reduce it at the source. To do this, we favor deconstruction over demolition. Instead of destroying everything, we can recycle, resell, or reuse materials. For our project, we even organized an open house so people could salvage materials.
Giving your materials a second life
You can also contact circular economy organizations like RÉCO (formerly Éco-Réno), which specialize in salvaging building materials and architectural components. If you can’t restore existing items, they can salvage certain materials to give them a second life. If you have furniture to resell, don’t hesitate to use the Facebook Marketplace. There are often people interested in salvaging materials for free.
Let’s make our construction sites responsible: an action for everyone
We can all make our construction sites responsible. The first step is to integrate waste management practices, even in our offices. With all the tools available, there’s no longer any reason not to sort. It’s easy to consign products or return hazardous materials, such as batteries, to recycling centers.
The most important thing is education: posting, training, and raising awareness among workers.
Our recommendations for successful waste management
Here are our recommendations for managing your construction waste:
Opt for an app or integrated software to manage operations.
Choose container partners that provide you with a recycling receipt for each trip. You can also request a certificate of the materials’ recycling rate.
Know the City’s material collection schedule and include it in the schedule. This is a good way to benefit from organized and free collections.
Create a network of circular economy organizations that meet our needs.
Don’t wait to organize waste management, even at the office.
Use signs to clearly explain what you want to accomplish on construction sites.
Tell us about your project
Every project is a story. A meeting between your vision and our expertise. In Montreal and the surrounding area, we bring to life renovations that combine aesthetics, functionality, and durability.