flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Global construction waste to almost double by 2025

Codes and Standards

Global construction waste to almost double by 2025

Concerns in Houston, Minnesota over environmental impacts.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | March 22, 2018

The volume of construction waste generated worldwide every year will nearly double to 2.2 billion tons by 2025, according to a report by Transparency Market Research.

The study says “reduce, reuse and recycle” policies are necessary to control the amount of construction waste. To date, such policies have been hampered by insufficient resources, lack of standardization, slim profit margins, policy apathy, and lack of education regarding the issues.

Construction waste is already causing safety and environmental concerns around the globe. In December 2015, a pile of construction debris caused a landslide in Shenzhen, China, that killed more than 70 people.

Texas has been burdened by waste created by Hurricane Harvey in the Houston area last year. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has waived some solid waste disposal regulations to hasten the clean-up. In Minnesota, construction debris is affecting groundwater, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is pushing for tougher standards for demolition landfills that have no barrier between waste and groundwater.

Related Stories

| Jun 28, 2012

Top building material executive urges building resilience in sustainability standards

A meeting of 1,000 business executives at the recent Rio+20 environmental conference featured a passionate plea to include building resilience in efforts to boost sustainability.

| Jun 28, 2012

Following spate of skyscraper balcony glass panel breakages, Ontario adopts code change

Ontario's housing minister announced new building code rules to help prevent glass panels from breaking off high-rise balconies during hot weather.

| Jun 28, 2012

Factory worker deaths in Italy raise questions on building codes after earthquakes

Italian officials are questioning seismic building standards and inspection procedures in the aftermath of two damaging earthquakes.

| Jun 21, 2012

Brazilian engineering/construction firm Odebrecht sues Florida over ban on companies doing business in Cuba

Odebrecht Construction Inc., a Brazilian engineering and construction company, is suing the State of Florida over a new law that bans governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.

| Jun 21, 2012

String of shattered glass balcony panels prompts call for code reform in Ontario

Since last summer, glass balconies have shattered at 13 different buildings in Toronto.

| Jun 21, 2012

California adds window film to building code

California is the first state to add window film into its building code. Window film, a polymer material, offers cost-effective energy savings.

| Jun 21, 2012

New ISO standard to improve environmental management of concrete

A new ISO standard will help the construction industry better manage the environmental impacts of concrete.

| Jun 21, 2012

On net-zero projects, Building Teams will be held accountable for energy-efficiency performance

The building team will be held accountable for how net-zero energy buildings perform two, five, and maybe ten years after completion.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021