Renovating a home is a great way to transform your old space into a newer and better one. However, deciding on the best designs or fixtures for your home isn’t just the only thing in your project that you should consider. Waste is an inevitable part of renovations and having waste management solutions in place should also be taken into consideration. Not only will it make the renovation process more efficient, but you can also help save the environment by properly disposing of the materials. In this post, we’ll discuss how you can minimise waste while you are renovating your bathroom.
Plan Your Renovation Efficiently
Before you start renovating your bathroom, managing potential waste should also be part of the planning stage. You want to be efficient when it comes to renovations to avoid disrupting the timeline you allot for your project. Make a detailed plan that considers potential waste that you might accumulate. Consider how you will dispose of the waste. Will you be taking the waste to the local council tip? Will you periodically dispose of some materials in the council garbage and recycling bins? If you’re planning on hiring a skip bin how long will you need to hire it for? One often overlooked element of waste many Brisbane homeowners forget about is the packaging of new fixtures and materials for the bathroom. What solutions will you employ to keep the working environment clean and safe without affecting the schedule of the renovation?
Aside from determining the best waste disposal methods, you should also think long-term. Why not make sustainable choices by selecting durable materials and fixtures that are designed to last a long time? This will ensure that the upgrades you make during your renovation will last many years to come instead of ending up in landfill if they need to be replaced in a few short years.
Choose Eco-Friendly Materials
Recycled and Reclaimed Materials
Choosing eco-friendly materials such as recycled and reclaimed materials is a great initiative to help the environment. Aside from that, homeowners can also save money by opting for recycled or reclaimed materials. Nowadays, there are a lot of available sustainable materials in the markets that you can put in your bathroom. You can use recycled glass and tiles for your countertops or reclaimed wood to add a feature wall and enhance the overall design of the bathroom.
Low-Waste Materials
You may also choose materials that produce less waste when they are manufactured and when they are installed in the bathroom. These materials reduce the project’s impact on the environment. Some examples of these low-waste materials include bamboo which can be used as flooring and paints that have low volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Evaluate and Repurpose Existing Fixtures
Another great way to manage waste during renovations is determining whether your existing fixtures can be repurposed. Reusing presents several benefits including reducing carbon footprint and saving on costs. However, you need to make an assessment first if your old fixtures can still be reused or if they need to be disposed of.
If some fixtures are not in the best condition to be reused, you can repurpose some of their components for other applications. You will need to be creative, but such a strategy can go a long way in helping you manage potential waste. For example, bathtubs can be repurposed as huge planters in the garden. Your old bathroom tiles and concrete can be crushed and used as a water permeable filler for usage for a number of landscaping projects including drainage pits or for retaining wall construction projects.
Practise Efficient Demolition
Practising efficient demolition is a good waste management solution. Efficient demolition involves deconstruction rather than the traditional demolition method. Deconstruction is the careful removal of materials that can still be salvaged while traditional demolition is just about demolishing structures with only disposal in mind. The first option is much more efficient because it minimises waste and you can still sell or donate the materials removed.
It will take careful consideration when it comes to identifying salvageable materials. Be careful in handling them, doing your best to remove materials without unnecessary damage. This method makes your bathroom renovation more sustainable.
Separate and Recycle
You should also sort and separate your waste during the renovation process. Set up separate bins for wood, metal, and plastic making waste management more efficient. You can also echo this to the workers so it’s easier to segregate waste that can be recycled and those to be disposed of in landfills.
Once you’re done with sorting, you can find an appropriate recycling facility that handles different wastes. Look for a recycling centre, whether it be a Brisbane city council refuse centre or a private refuse centre near you that has proper disposal methods, especially for hazardous materials such as paints and asbestos. Check if their services follow environmental guidelines.
Donate Unused Materials
If you have any unused materials, you can donate them instead of storing or disposing of them. Donating can help keep usable items out of landfills. Find local donation centres and ask them what materials they accept. Most accept wood floorings, doors, lighting fixtures, and others. By donating unused materials, you can manage waste and support local community projects.
Minimise Packaging Waste
Aside from the actual materials and products, additional waste is accumulated through the packaging of new materials and fixtures. If possible, choose products that have minimal or recyclable packaging. You may also want to consider purchasing some products in bulk since it can significantly reduce the packaging as compared to buying products individually.
Minimise waste by recycling packaging. Remove non-recyclable materials in cardboard boxes and flatten them before recycling. Plastic packaging should be cleaned first to prevent possible contamination. Proper recycling of packaging helps conserve resources and reduces the impact on the environment.
Hire Eco-Friendly Disposal Services
Hiring eco-friendly disposal services contributes to responsible waste management during your Brisbane bathroom renovations. They will ensure that your renovation waste is disposed of responsibly, protecting the environment and prioritising health and safety of everyone involved. If you have a lot of trash, this is a time saving and cost-effective waste management solution. When hiring disposal services, check if they have the necessary certifications and if their services are indeed sustainable. Most companies offering bathroom renovations in Brisbane can refer you to reputable and reliable eco-friendly disposal companies.
Conclusion
When it comes to bathroom renovations, accumulating waste can’t be completely avoided. You’ll inevitably find yourself sorting through unused materials, discarded packaging, and old fixtures. However, you can practise responsible waste management to minimise the impact on the environment. Some solutions to reduce your environmental footprint include recycling, donating, or hiring eco-friendly disposal services. Be considerate of the environment by choosing a sustainable removal company to handle your renovation waste. It’s a satisfying feeling when your new bathroom looks good and has been sustainably constructed.
