Canada's construction industry and plastic waste: A study for change

A study by Light House shows the impact the Canadian construction industry has on the environment with plastics and how building material suppliers can become a force that properly manages plastic waste.

ICYMI: A study out of Canada shows the impact the construction industry has on the environment with plastics and how building material suppliers can become a force that properly manages plastic waste. Read more ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wWlQB #construction #recycling #sustainability #buildingmaterials

Plastic waste in the construction industry is undertracked, managed, and overlooked, according to a new study conducted by Light House. The Construction Plastics Initiative (CPI) Benchmarking Study analyzes plastic waste diversion across 253 LEED-certified construction projects in Canada completed between 2009 and 2019. The study’s findings showed that the intensity of plastic waste diversion is influenced by building type, with the average plastic waste diversion intensity ranging from 1.1 to 2.7 kg/m². Notably, institutional and residential buildings produced significantly more plastic waste per square metre than educational buildings. The study also reports that current reporting systems rarely separate plastics by material type, making the benchmarking process challenging.

Governments and manufacturers are ramping up pressure to increase recycled content in everything from construction materials to packaging and electronics. These shifts are creating new opportunities, and new expectations, for recycling providers across the country. At Alter, we’re watching the policy landscape closely to help our partners stay ahead.

🚀 From landfill-bound plastic to world-class drainage systems — this is sustainability in action. At HydroBlox, we want to be clear about what makes our work different: every single pound of material we use comes from plastic that was otherwise on its way to the landfill. That’s powerful on its own—but what makes it truly exciting is that we take this difficult, messy, and often overlooked plastic (frankly, the stuff considered “garbage”) and transform it into a product that doesn’t just work—it works better and it costs less. That’s a win for our customers, a win for our communities, and a win for the environment. None of this would be possible without our partners. Our elite recycling suppliers are at the very top of the recycling chain, making it possible for HydroBlox to do what no one else can: take landfill-bound plastic and create the world’s most advanced drainage product. Together, we’re proving that sustainability isn’t just about doing good—it’s about building better solutions that last. #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #StormwaterManagement #GreenInfrastructure #RecycledMaterials #ClimateResilience #SustainableConstruction #PlasticRecycling #WaterManagement #HydroBlox #EcoInnovation #DrainageSolutions

Is your commercial roof contributing to the 10 million tons of recyclable waste ending up in landfills each year? With up to 95% of roofing materials being recyclable, your next roof replacement represents a critical opportunity to demonstrate environmental leadership while reducing disposal costs. Metal components offer the highest recycling value – recycled aluminum requires just 5% of the energy needed for virgin production, creating immediate environmental benefits. The financial advantages are equally compelling: reduced disposal fees, potential tax benefits, and lower material costs for future projects often offset initial recycling program implementation expenses. Implementing effective recycling begins with proper material identification and sorting on-site, using clearly marked containers and protecting materials from weather exposure until transportation. Modern recycling facilities now employ sophisticated separation equipment that can process multiple material types simultaneously, expanding recovery options even for previously challenging materials. Incorporating clear recycling specifications into your roofing contracts establishes accountability while setting measurable targets for material recovery and documentation. Regular roof maintenance dramatically increases recyclability – semi-annual inspections help identify issues before degradation compromises materials' recycling potential. Measuring and tracking your waste diversion creates tangible evidence of environmental leadership, often translating into market advantages as properties with documented sustainability programs command higher values. Strategic partnerships with specialized recycling vendors unlock additional benefits like preferred pricing, priority scheduling, and access to emerging technologies that transform roofing waste from expense to asset. Core Considerations: 1. Metal roofing components represent the most valuable recyclable materials, requiring up to 80% less energy than producing new metals while significantly reducing your environmental footprint. 2. Proper material separation during removal preserves recycling value – establish distinct collection zones for different materials and provide clear visual guides to prevent cross-contamination. 3. Comprehensive documentation of material types, conditions and disposal methods provides essential protection for property owners while demonstrating commitment to sustainable practices. KEEP EXPLORING: The Commercial Roofer's Comprehensive Guide to Recycling Old Materials from a Roof https://lnkd.in/eefJ-a2E 💡 Have you ever recycled materials from your old roof? #CommercialRoofing #SustainableBuilding #RoofingRecycling

Every commercial roof replacement generates up to 4 tons of waste, but 95% of these materials can be recycled with proper planning. With 15 million tons of roofing waste entering landfills annually, your decisions as a property owner directly impact both environmental sustainability and your bottom line. Implementing a recycling strategy isn't just environmentally responsible—it delivers measurable ROI through reduced disposal fees and potential tax incentives. Before committing to recycling, assess the integrity of existing materials through comprehensive professional inspections to determine which components remain viable. Material compatibility is crucial—not all recycled components integrate seamlessly with new systems, potentially compromising performance if improperly matched. The initial investment in recycling logistics may appear higher, but significant savings from avoided landfill fees typically offset these costs within the project timeline. Many municipalities offer recycling incentives that can substantially reduce your project expenses while demonstrating environmental leadership to stakeholders. Maintain meticulous documentation of all recycled materials to ensure compliance with increasingly stringent waste management regulations and avoid costly penalties. Implementing proper sorting procedures on-site streamlines the recycling process and maximizes the volume of materials diverted from landfills. Partner with roofing contractors who have established relationships with recycling facilities to simplify logistics and ensure proper material handling. Essential Insights: 1. Before recycling, evaluate material integrity, compatibility with new systems, and compliance with building codes to prevent performance issues and costly repairs. 2. Budget comprehensively for recycling by calculating potential savings from reduced disposal fees against transportation and labor costs for recycling operations. 3. Track and document all recycling activities meticulously to demonstrate regulatory compliance, quantify environmental impact, and leverage sustainability achievements in your marketing. GRAB THE FULL CHECKLIST: Recycling Materials from Old Commercial Roofs: An Actionable Solutions Checklist for Property Professionals https://lnkd.in/eRNZTcM5 💡 Have you ever recycled materials from an old roof replacement? #CommercialRoofing #SustainableConstruction #WasteReduction

🚨 Our first newsletter, The Hot Topic, is live! 🚨 In this edition, Amir Jafarmilajerdi, Randy West, Jhony Habbouche, Ph.D., P.E., and Maede Mottaghi share their perspectives on a pressing question in our field: 👉 Are recycled plastics in asphalt mixtures a sustainable solution, or are we just creating new “plastic pavement” problems? Recycled plastics are increasingly promoted as a sustainable solution in asphalt pavements. Yet, concerns remain about long-term performance. In your view, do the potential environmental benefits outweigh the risks of poor performance? Or do you see a niche where plastics can truly add value to asphalt technology? Check out the full discussion here: https://lnkd.in/eWmHawQh

Our graduate students are sparking important conversations about the future of asphalt pavement! In the first edition of The Hot Topic newsletter, the AAPT Student Chapter at Auburn University explores the promise and pitfalls of using recycled plastics in asphalt. NCAT is proud to support our graduate students and the AAPT Student Chapter at Auburn as they tackle real-world challenges and lead critical discussions in asphalt research! Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/eWmHawQh

You keep a clean manufacturing floor... but what happens to all of that post-industrial PVC once it's in the waste bin? Here's what you need to know about scrap PVC and its impact on the environment... and what you can do to reduce that impact. https://lnkd.in/gAc2QvKq