New tools to reduce building material waste
Recycling or repurposing construction waste is a critically important way to improve Aotearoa’s environmental sustainability.
The building and construction sector is one of New Zealand’s largest waste producers – BRANZ research shows it contributes up to 50% of all waste going to landfills and cleanfills.1 Research by Auckland Council has also shown that construction of a typical house generates about 4 tonnes of waste, with the average cost of materials sent to landfill valued at more than $31,000 per house.2
A new, free online toolbox aims to help the sector make better decisions when it comes to waste management. With guidance, advice and resource recovery maps, REBRI: Reducing Building Material Waste will help companies plan and implement waste management programmes for both large and small construction sites.
The initiative is led by BRANZ in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment and in collaboration with the industry and local government.
The toolbox provides step-by-step processes and easy-to-use resources to help companies minimise the amount of waste generated and ensure more construction waste is reused, recycled or recovered.
It features guidance and support:
- Low-waste project planning: The biggest difference we can make is designing for low waste from the outset. The toolbox outlines a process that builders, project managers and planners can follow and helps to find suppliers and products that align with waste reduction goals. There are also plenty of resources for recycling or reusing materials as well as advice on where you can take your waste.
- Managing waste practices on site: BRANZ research shows that effective communication and collaboration are key to success. Creating a positive on-site culture and maintaining a well-organised site can greatly contribute to achieving waste reduction goals.
- Deconstructing projects: The reverse of construction, deconstruction involves removing building parts in the reverse order. Sustainable site clearance methods to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill during development should be encouraged.
- Resource recovery, with a new map of waste facilities around Aotearoa: The brand-new resource recovery map is a game changer for the industry. The map can be searched by waste type and location to help find nearby facilities that accept different types of construction waste. This helps to ensure the waste goes where it can be recycled appropriately instead of to landfill. This map will continue to be updated with new locations and information.
This initiative aims support industry in reducing waste, adopt waste minimisation principles and practices and build towards a more circular and sustainable economy. It aims to also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from degradable construction waste (in landfills) and from material manufacture as the volume of material going to waste is reduced.
When it comes to waste reduction in the building industry, what’s good for the planet is good for the pocket. It will help building and construction companies save on costs, with less demand for new products and more reuse of existing materials.
1 BRANZ (2022) BU671 Reducing construction and demolition waste.
2 Auckland Council (2024) Construction waste matters.