Warren Fothergill, Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager at offsite manufacturer Premier Modular, explains the role of net zero in reducing construction waste.
The construction industry contributes 21% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN Environment Programme’s Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, making it one of the most significant industry contributors.
Waste and emissions reduction must be at the forefront of construction strategies to align with Net Zero targets, but achieving this goal is a complex challenge requiring systemic shifts.
While lean manufacturing, circular economy principles, offsite construction, and high-performance materials provide potential solutions, their implementation can be hindered by financial constraints, resistance to change and gaps in policy enforcement.
To tackle waste, developers are increasingly adopting lean manufacturing principles and circular economy strategies.
Lean manufacturing
Lean manufacturing aims to streamline production processes, eliminating inefficiencies and reducing material waste through precision design and controlled fabrication environments.
In theory, this benefits both the environment and profitability. However, traditional construction, unlike industries such as automotive or electronics, deals with highly variable and site-specific conditions, making standardisation more challenging.
Circular economy principles
A circular economy approach, which prioritises recycling, reusing and designing buildings with end-of-life sustainability in mind, is a critical strategy.
In reality, many construction materials are still not designed for disassembly or reuse, and infrastructure for material recovery remains inadequate.
While some companies are leading the way by repurposing demolition waste and implementing take-back schemes for materials, such as steel and plasterboard, widespread adoption is slow.
Expanding circular waste initiatives beyond single material recovery, such as plasterboard, to encompass a broader range of materials could improve industry-wide progress.
Offsite manufacturing
Offsite manufacturing and modular construction have gained attention for their ability to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
By shifting production to controlled factory settings, companies can reduce material offcuts, improve precision and limit the impact of human error. This approach also allows for better quality control, reducing the likelihood of rework, which is a major source of waste in traditional construction.
Additionally, by streamlining production assembly, project timelines are accelerated, reducing the amount of energy used during construction.
High-performance materials
The construction industry has seen promising advancements in high-performance and sustainable building materials, from low-carbon concrete to bio-based insulation. These materials offer improved durability and energy efficiency, but their uptake remains inconsistent due to cost considerations and supply chain limitations.
Using high-performance materials can significantly enhance energy efficiency, as demonstrated in zero carbon operational buildings, which use technology to reduce long term emissions.
While innovation in materials is advancing rapidly, without stronger regulations and incentives, traditional materials and construction methods will continue to dominate due to their familiarity and lower upfront costs.
How to reduce the environmental impact of construction
Traditional construction sites generate vast amounts of waste due to inefficient planning, over-ordering of materials and poor waste management practices. Digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) have proven effective in minimising this waste by enabling more precise material estimation and logistics planning.
Reducing site disruption and emissions from onsite activities through better logistics planning, digital coordination or alternative construction methods will also contribute to a lower environmental impact.
Yet, adoption rates remain inconsistent across the sector, particularly among smaller companies that lack the resources to implement digital solutions.
Beyond digitalisation, addressing onsite waste also requires cultural and behavioural shifts, such as segregating waste streams, composting biodegradable materials and implementing closed-loop water systems, however, these aren’t universally applied.
Many still see waste management as an operational afterthought rather than a fundamental part of the process.
What does the future look like?
The path towards a waste free construction industry is far from straightforward. While policy changes, technological advancements and industry collaboration will play a crucial role, significant challenges remain.
Stricter regulations on material circularity, incentives for waste reduction and expanded infrastructure for recycling and reuse will be necessary to drive change.
Ultimately, achieving a world beyond waste in construction requires a shift in mindset across the industry, whether that’s in traditional construction or by using alternative methods of building.
While many companies are making strides towards sustainability, without systemic changes, waste will continue to be a problem. It’s time for the industry to take proactive action rather than relying on government mandates and penalties to drive change.
The next decade is pivotal to transition to a circular, low-waste model and achieve important net zero goals.
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