The construction industry is responsible for 42% of carbon emissions worldwide. Half of these emissions are generated during the construction and demolition phases of a building’s lifespan. Hence, the building industry is now facing significant responsibilities to decarbonize demolitions and construction practices, and any experienced demolition company should be familiar with them.
Since demolition involves wrecking, dismantling, and razing buildings, it often leads to unsustainable carbon emissions, waste, and pollution that negatively impact the environment. Typical structural demolition methods result in vast amounts of debris that often end up in landfills, aggravating the pollution problem we face worldwide.
Recognizing the clear need for more sustainable and eco-friendly demolition systems, the industry is developing new methods that aim to reduce the pollution caused by demolished structures.
4 strategies companies can use for sustainable demolition
1. Comprehensive waste audits
Waste audits are the cornerstone of eco-friendly demolition. This practice requires an experienced demolition company to perform a detailed assessment of the building’s materials to identify those that can be recycled, reused, or repurposed after the demolition.
These audits allow contractors to minimize landfill contributions and maximize waste recovery, as well as to plan and execute more sustainable demolitions.
2. Deconstruction
Many residential and commercial demolition projects result in debris that can’t be recycled, either because it contains hazardous materials or substances or because, due to the demolition method, it mixes with unsalvageable materials. Unlike demolition, residential demolition services can use deconstruction to dismantle a structure piece by piece, ensuring that salvaged items can be reused.
Sustainable deconstruction prioritizes items like doors, windows, roofing items, structural components, and material finishes, reducing the amount of unrecyclable debris in landfills.
3. Controlled implosions
An experienced demolition company often uses controlled demolition to take down high-rise buildings more efficiently and safely. Controlled implosions use a series of explosives placed strategically inside the building to weaken or remove support structures while preventing the building from turning into unusable rubble.
Controlling implosions and preventing rumble, contractors can find and catalog the building sections to ease recycling. Instead of searching in the rubble for salvageable materials, controlled demolition allows buildings to collapse with many parts intact.
4. Robotic systems: Allies for eco-friendly demolition
Automated demolition techniques, such as concrete cutting and core drilling, are helpful when dismantling building joints. They also make demolition safer since they remove the human component from the job site and can efficiently separate building components for recycling. Hence, it is not unusual for an experienced demolition company to include them in specific projects.
Why is sustainable structural demolition significant?
Exploring eco-friendly commercial and residential demolition services turns demolition from a heavy-waste process to a model of environmental innovation to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to governmental and collective sustainability efforts.
Lowering the industry’s carbon footprint:
Eco-friendly demolition practices produce less carbon dioxide emissions than conventional demolition practices. Hence, when contractors choose sustainable techniques such as deconstruction and prioritizing the recycling of building materials, they contribute to global efforts to fight climate change.
Reducing landfill dependence:
Sustainable structural demolition allows companies to divert waste from state and local landfills, minimizing unnecessary disposal and contributing to a cleaner environment and future for all Port St Lucie residents. Any experienced demolition company that recovers and repurposes materials during the job helps to conserve valuable landfill space for waste that needs it and reduces harmful methane emissions.
Conserving resources:
Since eco-friendly demolition emphasizes the recovery and reuse of materials, it helps reduce the demand for new raw materials, preserves natural resources, and reduces the environmental impact of extraction. Hence, companies prioritizing reusing and recycling during demolition play a significant role in protecting the environment and promoting responsible resource management.
Aligning with ESG goals:
Aiming for sustainable residential and commercial demolition projects directly aligns with any organization’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals because it reduces ecological harm and promotes responsible waste management.
An experienced demolition company that prioritizes sustainability enhances its social responsibility profile and reputation, establishes environmental leadership in its niche, and strengthens its relationships with stakeholders and consumers.
Commercial and residential demolition services that give back to the community with TRM
At TRM, we’re committed to ensuring quality workmanship, top-notch safety, and unparalleled community involvement in all our projects. From remodeling to structural demolition, we have completed over 150 projects across Florida, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia that are designed for your benefit and the benefit of the surrounding community and environment.
When you work with us, you have the certainty that we don’t focus on our bottom line, but rather on giving you the quality you’re paying for and in returning to our community in Port Saint Lucie, the trust they have put in us.
If you’re looking for an experienced demolition company that gives back, call us at 772-905-2727 today!
