With any construction project, one thing is inevitable: throughout the process, you’re going to have a lot of debris on your hands. However, some materials are more dangerous than others. When contractors are building new structures or dismantling old ones, how can they keep themselves and those nearby safe from hazardous debris?
Corrosive, flammable, and toxic materials are often found on construction sites. It’s important to contain these materials for a few reasons:
- It prevents damage to the surrounding soil, waterways, and air quality.
- It keeps the construction crew and other residents safe from exposure to pollution.
What can you do to prevent adverse outcomes that could result from improper waste handling and disposal? We’re going to explore the types of hazards that are often encountered, and some of the methods used to contain them.
Identifying Potential Hazards
Many construction projects involve demolition work. Clearing away old materials will prepare the site for a new building. It’s important to take great care when clearing away the rubble because some of it could contain harmful substances. But how do you detect harmful debris among waste materials?
It starts with an identification process. Many different types of toxic debris may be encountered at a construction site. Without protection and proper waste disposal, you might be exposed to some of the following hazards:
- Lead paint
- Chemicals
- Asbestos
- Light bulbs
- Paint thinner
- Mercury-containing materials
Potential health issues can result from exposure to these materials. One of the most commonly used construction materials is asbestos, and it’s also one of the most hazardous. Breathing in asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer.
Renting a Dumpster
Once construction work has wrapped up, the property may be littered with a range of waste materials. For the large volumes of debris that are produced at a construction site, you’ll need a dumpster to dispose of them.
These bins feature walk-in doors that make loading easy. However, even with a dumpster rental, contractors must still separate hazardous materials from regular waste.
The TransLiner® keeps toxic materials secure and sealed within a dumpster. This product is designed to adhere to the exact dimensions of your roll-off container, complete with a patented zipper. It offers leak protection and odor control. You can select the sizes and thicknesses that are suitable for your construction project.
Packaging Special Wastes
You may be concerned about how to safely package hazardous construction debris. At PacTec, we’ve designed the TransPac®, a flexible waste packaging solution that can safely contain dangerous materials including asbestos, high-heat products, odorous materials, metal shavings, bio waste, and powders.
You can easily install this product directly in a large metal container, such as a dumpster. The TransPac effectively contains odors, dust, and other contaminants.
When you package waste with the TransPac, you won’t need to worry about exposing those around you to hazardous debris.
Segregating Waste Materials
Once all the construction debris has been identified and sealed for removal, the next step is identifying where to dispose of them.
Not all materials can be lumped together and sent to a landfill. Anything that contains chemicals or other hazards should be labeled and dropped off at an appropriate waste management site.
Depending on where you live, you could be fined for improper waste disposal. Be sure to read up on how to properly load a dumpster.
It’s important to recycle or reuse materials whenever possible. However, most types of hazardous debris will need to be dropped off at a designated facility. Check the guidelines for local waste disposal sites in your area to make sure you aren’t violating any codes or regulations.
Transporting Debris
When it comes time to remove hazardous materials from a construction site, how do you keep them contained during transport?
Most materials will need to be neutralized, separated, and completely sealed before they’re removed from a construction site. By using the waste container products at PacTec, you won’t need to deal with spills while you’re hauling away debris.
Work with a Reputable Construction Company
As you’re narrowing down which contractors to work with, do a bit of research into their credentials. Do they have experience working on construction sites that pose dangers? What are their policies surrounding waste disposal?
Before the project is underway, have a discussion with the construction crew about how hazardous materials will be handled. You may need to find creative solutions to unique issues. For example, consider how the contractors might handle debris that contains asbestos or lead paint.
If you suspect that hazardous materials are present in the area, be sure to let the construction company know before the project is underway. This allows them to plan accordingly for how they will be safely handled.
In Conclusion
Construction projects tend to produce large volumes of waste. Depending on what chemicals are present in the debris, various waste disposal methods can be used to minimize exposure.
When contractors and junk removal companies are dealing with hazardous debris, they must use the appropriate products and techniques. This protects those nearby from exposure to harmful materials or chemicals. By using products designed to contain dangerous materials, you can reduce your negative impact on the planet and its residents.
