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In simple terms, here’s the case for adopting green construction practices… MORE PROFIT .

Not only do green construction techniques save you money, but they tap you into the mainstream green building movement. Consumers and local governments seem eager to back this movement, so read on and learn the tactics that will have you seeing GREEN.

1) Prevent Waste in the Design Phase
2) Prevent Construction Waste on Site
3) Purchase to Prevent Construction Waste
4) Reuse/Recycle Waste On Site
5) Implement Green Security to Prevent Waste Due to Theft
6) Know Your Local C&D Material Recycling/Salvage Requirements
7) Filter/Divert Your Jobsite Water Runoff
8) Know Your Green Materials Alternatives
9) Design for Deconstruction
10) Document Your Green Efforts for LEED and/or GBI

1) Prevent Waste in the Design Phase
If you are - or can get - involved in the design phase then you have some prime opportunities to prevent waste that leads to overspending on materials and waste removal costs. You will be amazed at the wasteful decisions the project architects and planners may be making…

>Design with standard building material sizes in mind
>Set specific waste reduction goals at the beginning of the project, target specific materials and activities
>Get subcontractor buy in by including specs in your contracts
>Win employee buy in by incentivizing participation (purchase "rewards" with portion of money saved)
>Estimate when and where you’ll be generating waste - use this schedule to efficiently plan your methods of handling waste

2) Prevent Construction Waste on Site
Construction sites generate massive amounts of waste - and we’re not even talking about demolition here. Here are a few tactics you can use to prevent construction waste from accumulating so quickly in your dumpsters.

>Ask suppliers to buy back unused items
>Ask suppliers to replace all damaged materials
>Ask suppliers to deliver materials in returnable pallets and containers
>Reassess your material storage practices to prevent loss due to weather

3) Purchase to Prevent Construction Waste
When you’re sourcing the materials for your project you have an opportunity to reduce waste, sometimes in very significant ways. Your purchase decisions have an impact on the market, so cast your vote with your wallet.

>When possible avoid material brands with excessive packaging
>Evaluate your current estimation process
>When possible purchase reused, recycled and renewable materials

4) Reuse/Recycle Waste On Site
Your imagination’s the only limit on reusing and recycling waste on site. Well, ok - there will be some local laws affecting how you can use some types of waste and in what ways, especially when it comes to backfill. That said, here are a few ideas to start you thinking about on-site waste reuse and recycling.

>Make a designated area for onsite-reused materials including lumber for fire blocking and spacers, scraps of drywall for filler in hidden areas, etc…
>Save concrete chunks, broken bricks, blocks and other masonry rubble for backfill
>Use cleared brush and trees chipped for mulch
>Use joint compound buckets for other materials and your tools
>Use sawdust for mulching landscape, path ways
>Never throw away excess insulation - install in interior walls or on top of attic insulation for added protection

5) Implement Green Security to Stop Waste Due to Theft
Theft and vandalism cost construction companies in the US over 1 billion dollars annually. Your little slice of this could equal tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. Stop this with live guards monitoring your solar powered construction site surveillance cameras .

>Stop theft and vandalism before it costs you time or money
>No electric draw

6) Know Your Local C&D Material Recycling/Salvage Requirements
Recycling and salvage companies may be your new best friends. Some of them will even turn your waste into cash. Call them, get to know them and learn what their requirements are for materials they recover from construction sites. Your local government may have recycling options for you as well. And remember, there’s always SOMEONE out there who might want to use your waste material. Consider using Craigslist to get rid of any potentially useful waste.

>Research your local recycling and salvage options
>Which ones pay cash and for which materials?
>Who can use unsalable materials?

7) Filter/Divert Your Jobsite Water Runoff
Jobsite runoff, whether pollutants from vehicles and cement mixing or from topsoil washed away in storms, can be very expensive… in the form of fines and even injunctions or restraining orders that keep you from working. Know your local laws and consider following some of the tips below.

>Prevent potential fines, injunctions and restraining orders by preventing runoff
>Provide stabilization - temporary or permanent - by planting rye grass
>Protect all drain inlets, outlets with rock arranged in check dam formation AND silt fencing
>Check your drain control measure weekly
>Continually monitor vehicles for leaks
>Keep spill kits on hand and use on spills immediately

8) Know Your Green Materials Alternatives
The green material industry is booming now, and will continue to grow and evolve as consumers - and government - shift towards green building. Below you’ll find a few links to outside sources that will help you to evaluate green materials and even find suppliers.

Green Construction Materials
Green Building Materials
Environmentally Preferable Building Materials and Specifications

9) Design for Deconstruction
Designing for deconstruction (also Design for Disassembly and "DfD") reduces costs at the end of a building’s life cycle. This process also makes it easier to add on to the existing structure.

>Design so that the building is easy to take apart either for reuse or adding on
>When possible use bolts instead of glue
> Read DESIGN FOR DECONSTRUCTION (PDF)

10) Document Your Green Efforts for LEED and/or GBI
In order to tap into the wider green building market you will need to get involved with one or both of these organizations: LEED or GBI. Ask green design folks you know locally which one is more important in your area. Both organizations require documentation, especially in the area of waste diversion.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Website
Green Building Initiative Website
NAHB’s Model Green Home Building Guidelines (free PDF download)

More Green Construction Resources:
Building Green - web publication about green design
Recycling Construction Materials: An Important Part of the Construction Process
Wastes - Resource Conservation - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Construction & Demolition Materials
Construction Waste Minimization Methods
Construction Waste Management Guide (PDF)
Post-Construction Runoff Controls
Construction Runoff
Construction Recycling
Benefit from "Green" Construction Methods
Taking Green One Step Further Through Green Construction Practices
A Green Jobsite Can be Gold
Green Construction
‘Green’ building practices don’t have to hike costs, researcher says