The construction industry generates an estimated 600 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste each year in the United States alone, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). About half of all materials extracted are used in the built environment, notes the WEF. This includes non-building infrastructure such as roads and bridges. As much as 30% of all construction materials delivered to building sites leaves as waste.
Global material use is expected to more than double by 2060, with a third of this increase attributable to the building and construction sector. In addition, the WEF predicts that over two trillion square feet of floor space, equivalent to adding an entire New York City to the world, will occur every month for 40 years. What’s more, about 40% of all global greenhouse gas emissions are derived from the construction and operation of buildings.
The demolition sector plays a critical role to reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the construction industry, according to Kate Bester, Contracts and Project Manager at Jet Demolition. “It allows existing building materials to be recycled in a safe and sustainable manner that reduces construction waste at the same time,” she adds.
A key concept in this regard is the circular economy, which encourages the construction and demolition sectors to boost the quality and quantity of recycling, thereby minimising the environmental impact of such activities. For example, the EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol and Guidelines provides a practical approach to prevent and manage C&D waste and resources from design to deconstruction.
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Sustainable Development reports that circular economy actions in the construction industry can contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to resource efficiency, waste management, and climate change mitigation.
Bester highlights that Jet Demolition is committed to conducting its business with respect and care for people and the environment and the responsible use of natural resources. It also continually strives to improve its safety, health, and environmental performance.
Jet Demolition also has a dedicated Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) department, a Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) rating of 9SE, and several awards and accreditations for its continued excellence and ongoing innovation in the demolition industry.
REFERENCES
‘EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol and Guidelines’
‘Construction and demolition waste: challenges and opportunities’ https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/construction-and-demolition-waste-challenges
‘Improving circular economy practices in the construction sector’ https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/improving-circular-economy-practices-in/
‘What we should be considering for circular building design’
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/04/circular-building-design-construction-sustainability/
Ends
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Notes to the Editor
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About Jet Demolition
Jet Demolition has been undertaking industrial demolition works since 1994, and is the leading, largest, and most technically advanced demolition company in Africa. It offers in-house, full-range demolition services, including advanced mechanical solutions and controlled implosions. It actively pursues ongoing development of skills and equipment suited to the changing needs of the industry.
Jet Demolition is a technically based company, with various staff members holding MSc, BSc, and BTech Degrees, as well as National Diplomas, in various engineering fields. This expertise gives it the technical foundation to successfully engineer solutions for large and complex demolition projects, and furthermore fuels its drive to deliver quality projects safely. Jet Demolition strives to offer its clients innovative and technical solutions to demanding demolition challenges.
Jet Demolition Contact
Kate Bester (NDip Civil Engineering – PMP)
Contracts and Project Manager
Phone: (011) 495 3800
Cell: 072 811 5310
Email: kate@jetdemolition.co.za
Media Contact
Rachel Mekgwe
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867 7763
Cell: 074 212 1422
Email: rachel@ngage.co.za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
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- The role of demolition in circular construction_approved
The role of demolition in circular construction_approved -
Jet Demolition Contracts and Project Manager Kate Bester