Construction is a massive industry, and tends to have a considerable impact on the environment. Reddy Kancharla mentions that a number of materials flow in and out of almost all construction sites, which subsequently results in a substantial waste generation. Mr. Kancharla is an eminent professional belonging to the construction field, and is well versed with its processes. He mentions that common construction and demolition materials like wood, asphalt and concrete end up piling near the project site, posing a major threat to the environment.
The core objective of sustainable construction is to both develop and operate processes that prioritize ecological design and resource efficiency. Reddy Kancharla mentions that sustainable constructions are largely focused on the principles of reducing the consumption of resources, using recyclable resources, eliminating toxins and implementing methods that help in protecting nature. Social responsibility, environmental impact and economic efficiency are the three prime elements on which sustainable construction projects are based on. These three factors form the basis of governing the building design, working conditions, quality of architecture, as well as technologies and processes undertaken.
Here are a few practices suggested by Reddy Kancharla that one can use to incorporate sustainable practices in construction processes:
- Use low impact construction material: It requires a lot of energy to manufacture construction materials from scratch. To reduce the energy expended on diverse manufacturing processes, low impact materials that are repurposed or recycled can be used. It would be a smart move to use materials sourced from other building sites or the ones that come from various naturally occurring elements. To reduce waste materials and construction time, modular designs for buildings can be chosen as well.
- Use energy-efficient construction and material handling equipment: The right equipment can play a major role in reducing energy waste. For example, by using the ideal on-site generator, one can avoid wasting fuel. Similarly, people may even use energy-efficient overhead cranes and other construction tools.
- Discard the construction waste responsibly: Shingles, pieces of drywall, lumber, gravel, ductwork, wiring, concrete, as well as glass and metal parts are some of the common construction and demolition waste. People need to recycle everything they can in this process, including metal parts, plywood and lumber, masonry, glass and plastic trash and so on. Masonry can be used in other construction projects, while plastic, glass, and metal waste can be sent to a recycling unit. Plywood and lumber additionally can be converted into mulch or biomass fuel.
While concrete has been among the most popular construction material for generations, many engineers have tried a variety of green building material alternatives for it. For example, in several instances, straw bales are used as a more sustainable alternative to rebar and concrete construction. If sealed correctly, they can provide a good degree of insulation from hot and cold weather. With the right approach and strategy, people can surely make their construction work more sustainable.