Having studied waste diversion at school, I want to make sure that this issue is discussed on the job site. Here is what has been done so far:
(1) When making a decision about which contractor to go with, we factored in the response we got from the contractors about waste diversion when interviewing them in the earlier stages
(2) We have discussed methods for diverting waste with the contractor selected. While work has not started yet, it is my understanding that as much construction waste as can be diverted will be dealt with through Tomlinson.
(3) We have already tried to salvage/sell everything that will not be reused by us. Some things can’t go yet (i.e., bathroom door, front door, old windows) but when it is time, we will continue to find homes for things. We even “have a guy” that will come in his truck and take useable things that are left over.
The idea of putting something in our contract was discussed. The issue is ‘legalese’ when it comes to trying to find a way to write “best efforts will be made” (i.e., what happens if they are not). I have heard of other people requiring a ‘waste diversion management plan’ for a project but I couldn’t actually find an example for a home retrofit project when we needed it. I think that there is room for the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association to consider this more (hint, hint).
I did hear of the idea where a contractor puts out a firewood bin to fill up with scraps of wood when working on site. Workers can take the scraps home to use as kindling. This seems like an effective way to divert construction waste from a landfill. Feel free to post your ideas or suggestions.
(1) When making a decision about which contractor to go with, we factored in the response we got from the contractors about waste diversion when interviewing them in the earlier stages
(2) We have discussed methods for diverting waste with the contractor selected. While work has not started yet, it is my understanding that as much construction waste as can be diverted will be dealt with through Tomlinson.
(3) We have already tried to salvage/sell everything that will not be reused by us. Some things can’t go yet (i.e., bathroom door, front door, old windows) but when it is time, we will continue to find homes for things. We even “have a guy” that will come in his truck and take useable things that are left over.
The idea of putting something in our contract was discussed. The issue is ‘legalese’ when it comes to trying to find a way to write “best efforts will be made” (i.e., what happens if they are not). I have heard of other people requiring a ‘waste diversion management plan’ for a project but I couldn’t actually find an example for a home retrofit project when we needed it. I think that there is room for the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association to consider this more (hint, hint).
I did hear of the idea where a contractor puts out a firewood bin to fill up with scraps of wood when working on site. Workers can take the scraps home to use as kindling. This seems like an effective way to divert construction waste from a landfill. Feel free to post your ideas or suggestions.
The photo is of an old cupboard in the basement. We made the effort to pull it down instead of just destroying it. The creepy wall behind is also gone (clean basement here we come).
2 comments:
Kate, your street-cred took a hit there when you admit to studying "waste diversion at school"!!!!!
That is awesome...... I really am a dork because I studied it at undergraduate AND graduate school!
Kate
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