As a contractor, understanding the impact a renovation project is likely to cause on the environment is second nature. In the midst of it all though, it can sometimes be hard to keep eco-friendly practices at the forefront, even at a time when such thinking is at an all-time high. 

Are you seeking to make environmentally-conscious changes with the purpose of making your company more eco-responsible? If so, keep reading to find out more about the best eco-responsible work practices to adopt for your renovation company.

Building Contractors: Eco-Responsible Work Practices to Take On

1) Collaborate with a company that specializes in recycling 

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It is an inevitable reality, but any renovation project is bound to lead to a mountain of waste. However, keep in mind that there are environmentally friendly ways to dispose of said waste. 

In order to take on work practices that are more environmentally conscious, it can be beneficial to hire a company specializing in the disposal of recyclable materials that can come directly to a worksite once the project is completed. That way, recyclable materials do not have to be discarded with non-recyclable waste!

Bear in mind that your clients will be grateful for not having to pay additional fees in regards to transporting recyclable materials off-site to a recycling centre. As a result, it saves you precious time and also gives you a head start when it comes to waste disposal. 

2) Use local materials

The environmental impact of material transportation might be easily overlooked, but it is a harsh reality. In fact, the greater the distance to be covered between the supply location and the construction site, the greater the amount of pollution generated.

For this reason, whenever possible, local sourcing is recommended, preferably with manufacturers located within 800 km of the construction site. In addition to the positive impact this decision will have on the environment, it will also contribute to the economic growth of local businesses.

3) Salvage fallen or cut down trees

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As part of some renovation projects, cutting down trees may be inevitable to have sufficient land available to accommodate a building. So what should be done with the cut-down wood? The first course of action would be to salvage it and use it as firewood.

This is a simple way to avoid wasting valuable resources during the winter months! Also, wood can always be put to good use to make furniture. 

4) Promote the use of high-efficiency bathroom fixtures

As you may already know, the use of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures can greatly reduce water consumption. While your clients may have a clear idea of what they want to purchase for their bathroom renovation, it is important to steer them toward high-efficiency fixtures.

Although, some consumers might dismiss this possibility right off the bat, thinking that it involves additional costs. At one time, purchasing water-saving faucets, eco-friendly toilets, and showerheads represented an additional cost, but today, they are available at a comparable cost.

5) Purchase eco-friendly materials

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Another aspect to consider is the provenance of the materials purchased. What are the manufacturing practices used to transform the material from its original state to a product that can be used in a building project?

By examining this issue and obtaining the information required to make an informed decision, you can often choose materials that are produced in a way that is more in line with recognized environmentally-conscious practices. The use of biodegradable materials is also a smart choice for your company!

For example, hemp offers high-quality thermal and sound insulation, as well as being fire-resistant and easy to install. Another possibility is the use of wood fibre panels. This eco-friendly material, among many things, guarantees high-thermal insulation and ensures effective vapour diffusion.

Another suggestion would be to choose materials that can be repurposed. Also, using products made from at least 50% recycled material is an excellent approach. Although some economic constraints may make it difficult to implement all of these suggestions, putting them into practice when appropriate is certainly a step in the right direction!

Want to learn more about green home renovation materials? Check out our article 10 Green Home Renovation Materials. 

6) Prioritize power tools

Now turning our attention to power tools, and the importance of using them as often as possible. Although it is not always feasible, using tools that do not require any fossil fuels allows you to reduce your ecological footprint when remodelling.

7) Favour zero VOC paints

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As far as paint jobs are concerned, using products without volatile organic compounds is an environmentally sound decision too. Research shows that volatile organic compounds have a serious environmental impact. More specifically, they contribute to global warming and the presence of smog in urban areas.

While zero VOC paints were once considered of lesser quality, the quality has improved and now offers comparable performance to their VOC counterparts.

However, it should be noted that low-end zero VOC paints are less durable. For this reason, it is advisable to choose high-end paint, especially if the surface to be painted is likely to be damaged during daily activities.