Construction companies contribute to carbon emissions and pollution through the equipment they use in the industry, the waste they produce, and the amount of carbon dioxide and methane they emit into the air. However, there are ways you can counteract this by making your construction company more eco-friendly. Use the following suggestions to reduce the amount of carbon emissions your business puts into the environment.
Using Environmentally Friendly Materials & Recycling
One of the quickest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to be conscious of the materials you’re using to build a structure and how you can recycle the material once it is no longer usable. Consider using wood instead of concrete and steel as much as possible because timber is a renewable resource. If you do need to use steel, we suggest using traditional steel made with recycled materials.
Furthermore, to reduce the amount of waste in our landfills, do everything in your power to reuse materials from past jobs and have a complete waste management system on the worksite to encourage better recycling practices.
Go Digital
You can’t have a construction company without a management team on the back end. The management team can reduce the amount of paper it uses by switching to a digital data system to better preserve the world we live in. Instead of using binders and papers for laying out procedures and safety protocols, create digital files that can be shared among workers. This creates a chain reaction of saving money in the office, conserving energy, preserving trees, and using less water to produce paper. Plus, you can organize your files better in a digital format.
Find Eco-Friendly Equipment & Machinery
The machinery and equipment you use in construction are necessary to make our jobs easier, but when these vehicles continue to guzzle gas, it can become a major concern. One example of choosing eco-friendly machinery is using a hydraulic pile driver over one that consumes diesel. Some slight changes to the equipment you use can significantly reduce the amount of carbon you push into the atmosphere, making our world a better place to live.
Use Solar Power at the Office
Another way your construction company can be more eco-friendly is to utilize renewable energy wherever possible. This is usually at the building that houses the offices for HR and management employees. Consider installing solar panels on the roof of your business to power the computers and provide energy for other office functions. This is an investment, but it will save you money over time, and the panels can last for many years.
In today’s world, climate change and the effects of our impact on the environment have drastically altered our planet. You can make several small changes in your business to reduce your carbon footprint and make a massive impact on our environment. What eco-friendly practices will you try at your construction company?
