Last reviewed: 04/15/2008
Construction waste management
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Stuart Simpson |
Construction Waste Management is a part of a growing movement toward a sustainable world. Sustainability or “green” management techniques are designed to protect the environment, save resources, and conserve energy. The use of construction waste management techniques which rely on salvage, recycle and reuse of materials have proven to have economic benefits for the construction industry.
Economic development coupled with ecological health was first termed ‘sustainability’ in the late 1970s. The terms ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ were used by the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development in its report “Our Common Future” in 1987. Since that time, the ideas have worked down from a world-wide platform to practical applications in the local economy. The state of Washington declared its policy to promote construction waste management planning in design and building through changes in the Revised Codes of Washington in June of 2002.
The Construction Waste Management Guide was developed by the Department of General Administration in response to requests to compile information on the subject in one location. Green Building Services is part of the Division of Engineering and Architectural Services within the Department of General Administration.
The full Construction Waste Management Guide as well as the forms and the Pocket Guide are included at the Tools tab. These materials were developed by a group of representatives from public and private commercial and industrial construction industry organizations.
For more information see Sustainable Design and Green Building.
