An Architect's Guide for Sustainable Design of Office Buildings
7. Waste Reduction
7.0 Introduction
"Solid waste" denotes waste generated from all sources that is land-filled or disposed in some other way, but not reused, recycled, or converted. Sustainability will require the elimination of the concept of waste through increased reuse and recycling.
It is estimated that Canadians produce more than 30 million tonnes of garbage annually, more than 1 tonne per capita. This gives Canada the misfortune of being the world's largest generator per capita of waste. Of this waste, approximately 36.4% is paper, 27.6% is food waste; 6.6% is glass; 6.6% is metals; 6.1% is yard waste; plastics are 4.6%; textiles are 4.3%; wood is 4.2%; and other waste is 3.5%.
Only 10 percent of all wastes are recycled. This level of waste places pressure on existing landfill space and the development of new landfills is a difficult process be cause not only do they often encounter tremendous resistance from local residents but they also occupy valuable land that could be used for other purposes. Ground and surface water contamination and soil gas generation are just two of the many environmental problems of landfills.
The waste generated in PWGSC buildings is estimated at 22,000 tonnes/year.
In response to these high levels of waste, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment agreed in 1989 on the goal of reducing the amount of solid waste sent for disposal in Canada by 50% by the year 2000 relative to the base year 1988.
Ontario is the only province that has developed formal regulations for the reduction, reuse, and recycling of wastes, adopted in March 1994; requiring the implementation of waste audits and waste reduction workplans (Regulation 102/94), as well as source separation programs (Regulation 103/94), in affected facilities, and construction and demolition activities.
As the federal government is committed to abide by the most stringent provincial regulations, these regulations will serve as the standard that the department will use.
7.1 Reducing Construction & Demolition Waste
Waste of materials is a concern throughout the full life cycle of a building because waste occurs during construction, maintenance and replacement.
Although construction waste can be reduced through careful on-site practices, design decisions can also facilitate the reduction of construction waste.
Construction waste can be minimized during design through:
- Careful dimensioning and modular design;
- Considering extended material maintenance and replacement cycles;
- Using highly efficient, engineered wood products.
7.1.1 Construction Process
Building construction currently generates considerable waste, much of which could be reduced through more responsible construction management. Contractors must be made aware of new environmental agenda and must be supportive of the overall aims and intentions.
Although it is often difficult to make direct comparisons between materials, it is important to consider the environmental implications of waste disposal associated with the material and any attendant packaging.
Waste can be reduced during construction by:
- Drafting specifications based on the Code of Practice set out by the Canadian Construction Association. This will emphasize waste reduction and other environmentally sound construction procedures;
- Incorporating contract clauses dealing with these issues and make the contractor aware that they will be enforced;
- Discussing on-site waste and recycling issues with contractor.
7.2 Providing Dedicated Storage Space
An effective recycling program requires separation and sorting, short term storage and regular pick-ups:
- Providing storage is a necessary part of an office recycling program for paper, cardboard and other consumer recyclables;
- Recyclables storage refers to separate and dedicated storage for all recyclables, but with at least 75% of its area designed for paper;
- The storage area may be central or distributed throughout the building, but in large buildings there must be a pick-up point located at the loading dock.
Consumer Recycling Facilities
Though office paper makes up the majority of the solid waste stream in offices, consumer recyclables such as glass and metal containers are also an important factor, and they become increasingly prominent when effective paper recycling is practiced. In large buildings with cafeterias and lunchrooms, organic waste can also be a considerable item.
Providing recyclable waste collection for glass, metals, newsprint and plastic, as well as organic waste where appropriate, is an important supplement to an office recycling program.
Recyclables Compacting
Most recyclables are bulky and are stored in a low density form. This is particularly problematic when they are picked up by a vehicle without compacting equipment because it makes transport inefficient.
Reducing the bulk of recyclables will make their handling and transport more efficient:
- Office paper which has been sorted can be compressed and baled as can cardboard and newsprint.
- Glass and metals can be sorted and crushed and shipped in returnable bins.
Waste management and recycling efforts can be encouraged by:
- Considering all current and potential water flows within the building;
- Providing adequate, dedicated storage for paper, cardboard and other consumer recyclables, but with at least 75% of its area designed for paper;
- Providing for recyclable waste collection of glass, metals, newsprint and plastic, as well as organic waste;
- Reducing the bulk of recyclables by on-site compacting;
- Providing a pick-up point located at the loading dock in large buildings.
7.3 References
- Property Management Services, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Sustainable Development Strategy: Solid Waste Management Reduction Strategy for Property Management Services, Draft #3, Environmental Services Directorate, A&ES HQ, Ottawa, February 1996.
