The construction industry has an enormous impact on the environment. From harmful emissions to energy consumption, construction firms are under increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, find cleaner ways of working, and adopt modern sustainability practices.
Given the construction industry accounts for a staggering 36% of total global energy usage, considerably more needs to be done in order to combat climate change and meet the UK’s Net Zero carbon and sustainability target by 2050.
Whether it’s replacing old, polluting machinery or using renewable and recyclable materials, electric forklift specialists iLift are shining a spotlight on sustainability in construction while offering practical solutions all building companies can adopt to achieve a greener future.
Use Sustainable Materials
The type of materials used in construction can make a huge difference to sustainability. More and more firms are now using renewable and recycled options which have a much lower environmental impact than traditional concrete and steel.
Eco-friendly materials like reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled metal help reduce energy consumption and lower carbon footprints. Not only that, but sustainable products often avoid harmful chemicals which can also improve indoor environments and improve air quality.
Build Timber Frame Structures
Given the demand for high-quality, cost-effective homes that are quick to erect, timber frame buildings offer numerous construction sustainability benefits. Less waste is produced, homes can be completed faster, and the environmental impact is significantly lower compared with traditional brick and block building methods.
Studies have found that timber also has a lower environmental impact than any other material used in construction. It also has strong carbon capture properties, so for every cubic metre of wood grown, around one tonne of carbon dioxide is extracted from the atmosphere to create a cleaner environment. Not only that, but timber also offers excellent thermal insulation resulting in fewer energy demands and lower heating costs for occupiers.
Adopt Electric Forklifts and Machinery
As well as damage caused to natural habitats when developing green field sites, construction uses vast amounts of energy and still relies on fossil fuels to power diggers, forklifts, and other heavy machinery. Therefore, construction firms should consider switching to electric-powered vehicles and machines as a practical alternative.
Unlike machines that run on polluting fossil fuels such as diesel, electric forklifts produce zero emissions for better air quality, are quieter to operate, require less maintenance, and can even be powered by renewable energy sources for improved sustainability. With the global electric construction equipment market set to reach almost £55 billion by 2032, more and more firms are also benefitting by reducing operational costs through lower running times and zero idling while contributing to a greener working environment.
Reduce Waste Production
The UK produces around 222 million tonnes of waste annually of which approximately 62% came from construction, demolition, and excavation. However, an increase in recycling and adoption of sustainability practices are helping reduce the amount of waste attributed to construction.
Building firms are now becoming more eco-friendly by reusing resources, managing their waste, cutting their reliance on landfill, and utilising recycled materials during the course of a project. Similarly, a greater take-up in modular construction solutions that are created off-site and assembled on-site further minimise waste and are also more cost-effective than traditional brick builds.
Focus on Energy-Efficient Design
Construction companies are becoming more sustainable by focussing on energy-efficiency throughout the building process. Eco-friendly features such as solar heating, green insulation products, heat pumps, and natural lighting are helping to slash energy consumption levels and reduce carbon footprints.
Yet construction is also going a step further by adopting smart energy management systems that control energy use according to building needs. These clever, flexible systems can also adjust the lighting, temperature, and interior air quality of a building and optimise the efficiency and comfort of the structure.
Conserve Water
As the UK has less available water per person than many other European countries, the construction industry has a key role to play in reducing water waste. Luckily, there are several ways construction firms can significantly lower water usage during the building process and reduce their reliance on current water resources.
Modern technologies like greywater systems, low-flow fixtures, and rainwater harvesting are all sustainable water-saving solutions in construction and ensure projects don’t place excessive burden on local water supplies.
Create a Sustainable Supply Chain
Simply using renewable materials is not enough to achieve sustainability in construction, particularly when suppliers don’t show the same level of environmental commitment. Therefore, every link in a construction supply chain should evaluate its processes to pinpoint areas for improvement and work towards Net Zero targets.
Solutions like Goods Received Notes play a vital role in construction accounting by digitising outdated processes across the industry. Not only does this remove reliance on paper trails and reduce waste, but it also maximises efficiencies and creates a paper-free environment.
As you can see, there are numerous actions companies can take to help them move away from traditional construction methods and embrace sustainable building techniques. From leveraging recycled materials and energy-saving solutions to replacing polluting machines with green electric-powered alternatives, the construction industry is becoming a key driver of environmental change.
